My mother was born in the US in 1959. Both of her parents were German citizens )at the time, they are now US citizens). She has never applied for German citizenship, but I want to know if it passes to her automatically. Can she be a German citizen and not even know it? The reason for the question is because I am wondering about me. I was born in 1987 in the US, and have been told that it would be possible for me to gain German Citizenship, but only if my mom was a German citizen at the time of my birth. If he were to apply for it now I do not think it would apply to me, but I am not sure.