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View Full Version : Regaining German citizenship


onemoremile88
Apr 20, 2018, 03:59 PM
I was born to German parents in Augsburg, Germany. We immigrated to the United States in the 1950s when I was 3.5 years old. My parents became naturalized American citizens, and as a result, I became a naturalized American citizen. I would like to consider regaining my German citizenship in addition to my American citizenship. Is that possible? Where should I start? Thanks in advance for your help.

tickle
Apr 21, 2018, 12:38 PM
You start with the german consulate; but may be problematic. It has been too long if you don't have birth certs for both your parents and you.

newacct
Apr 21, 2018, 09:35 PM
I think that if you want to naturalize to get German citizenship now, they would require you to renounce US citizenship as a prerequisite.

Alty
Apr 22, 2018, 04:14 PM
You can have dual citzenship but reclaiming your German citizenship won't be easy.

kcomissiong
May 10, 2018, 09:11 AM
Just from reading the German visa website, it appears that naturalization in the US renounced the German citizenship of your family. The only option you have at this point is to naturalize as a German citizen, which requires the following:



You must have lived in Germany on a residence permit for at least 8 years, or
You must have lived in Germany on a residence permit for 7 years and attended an integration course (this becomes 6 years on special integration circumstances)
You must prove German language proficiency of at least B1
You must be financially able to support yourself and your family without any help from the state
You must be a law-abiding citizen with no criminal record
You must pass a citizenship test
You must renounce any previous citizenships

You cannot hold dual citizenship in the US and Germany unless you have a German parent, which naturalization eliminated, so you would have to renounce your US citizenship.