Cut-off date January 1, 2000 for acquisition of foreign nationality

Did you apply for the foreign nationality before January 1, 2000 but only receive it afterward? Then it is unclear whether you lost your German nationality. Only the nationality certificate clarifies this.

Minor children may still be German

Did you acquire the foreign nationality together with both parents or your father? Were you under 18 years old at the time? Then you may not have lost your German nationality.

Immigration authority informs the nationality authority itself

You do not need to coordinate the authorities yourself. The immigration authority automatically informs the nationality authority about the doubtful case. You only need to submit your application.

Apply for a Certificate of Citizenship

Have your German citizenship verified and apply for an official certificate.

At a glance

How do you apply for a citizenship certificate (Staatsangehörigkeitsausweis)?

You are a German citizen and need proof of your citizenship? For example, for a civil service appointment or adoption. Or you have German parents or ancestors and want to know whether you also hold German citizenship. Then you can apply for a citizenship certificate (Staatsangehörigkeitsausweis).

Important: The citizenship certificate is not proof of identity. You cannot use it for travel or as a substitute identity document.

The State Office for Immigration (LEA) examines whether you have acquired German citizenship. It also checks whether you may have lost it, for example through acquiring another nationality, marriage, or adoption.

If you hold German citizenship, the citizenship certificate will be issued to you.

Requirements

Who qualifies?

You are a German citizen (e.g. born in Germany or naturalised) or you have German ancestors and believe that you may also hold German citizenship.

Additional requirements

Your primary residence is in Berlin. A secondary residence is not sufficient. If you live abroad, contact the relevant German embassy or consulate.

How to apply

Submit an application via the contact form of the responsible department in Division S of the LEA

Select the subject: Application for determination of the existence or non-existence of German citizenship

Submit the requested civil status certificates

Wait for the review by the State Office for Immigration

Done! If you hold German citizenship, you will receive your citizenship certificate

51,00EUR

Issuance of the citizenship certificate

Good to know

Can you not prove when you lost your German nationality? Then the issue date of your foreign passport is used. This is the more favorable rule for you.

Kann dieser nicht vorgelegt werden, so ist zugunsten des Betroffenen das Datum der Ausstellung des ausländischen Passes als Zeitpunkt des Verlusts der deutschen Staatsangehörigkeit zu Grunde zu legen.

VAB A.38, S. 417-420

Are there doubts about your German nationality? Then residence proceedings of your foreign family members are suspended. They will receive a Fiktionsbescheinigung if necessary.

Bis zu einer schriftlichen Mitteilung der Staatsangehörigkeitsbehörde, ob die deutsche Staatsangehörigkeit verloren wurde, sind aufenthaltsrechtliche Verfahren von ausländischen Familienangehörigen auszusetzen. Ihnen ist ggf. eine Fiktionsbescheinigung zu erteilen.

VAB A.38, S. 417-420

The authority should decide generously in the review under Section 38. If you are caring for small children, for example, the authority may waive the securing of livelihood requirement.

Grundsätzlich ist bei der Auslegung des § 38 Abs. 3 ein großzügiger Maßstab anzulegen.

VAB A.38, S. 417-420

Contact & Responsibility

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The responsible department depends on your surname and/or nationality.

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