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Hello. I am writing to let you know that my grandfather was German and my father, brother and myself have acquired the German nationality recently. Before 1975, German nationality was acquired only through the father. After that date the mother also transmits the nationality. To acquire the German nationality you need your grandfather's birth certificicate, marriage certificate, plus any evidence that he did not not give up his German nationality. (eg. enrolled in the army of another country, became a legal citizen of another country.) Although, having said that, what is important here -this being my dad's case- is that my grandfather was German when my father was born. Therefore when my grandad became a legal citizen of another country (eight years after my dad was born) this did not affect my father's right of acquiring the German nationality.
So, I think a good first step would be to get your grandfather's birth certificate. Then you have to proove the relationship between your grandfather and your father, and between your father and yourself. For that you will need your father's birth certificate, marriage certificate and your own birth certificate. Even if your great granddad was German, you could get the German passport. It is important to establish the links between the German grandfather and his descendants. I hope this helps. |