Declaration or application for German citizenship if you do have a German mother or father but never were considered German

The Fourth Act Amending the Nationality Act, which entered into force on August 20th 2021, has created a ten-year right of declaration for children born after May 23 rd 1949 (entry into force of the Basic Law) to a German parent , who were excluded in a gender-discriminating manner from acquiring German citizenship by descent. The option of acquisition by declaration also applies to their descendants.

The following individuals are entitled to declare German Citizenship acc. to Section 5 German Citizenship Law:

1. children born to a German parent who did not acquire German nationality by birth (children born in wedlock prior to January 1 st 1975 to a German mother and a foreign father or children born out of wedlock prior to July 1 st 1993 to a German father and a foreign mother), or
2. children whose German mother had lost German citizenship through marriage to a foreigner prior to April 1 st 1953 pursuant to Section 17 (6) of the Reich and Nationality Act (old version), or
3. children who lost their German nationality acquired by birth through legitimization by their foreign father foreigner prior to April 1 st 1953 and valid under German law pursuant to Section 17 (5) of the Reich and Nationality Act (old Version)
4. descendants of the above-mentioned children

Please feel free to check here if you are entitled to declare German Citizenship.

Further information and declaration forms can be found on the website of the responsible Bundesverwaltungsamt.

B. Applicants who were born before May 23rd, 1949 and whose German parent could not pass on German citizenship to them or whose German parent lost German citizenship before their birth due to gender discrimination - Application acc. to Sec. 14 Citizenship Law

Individuals, who were born before the implementation of the German Basic Law (implemented on May 23 rd 1949) and who do have a German parent who could not pass on German citizenship to them or whose parent lost German citizenship due to gender discrimination can apply for German Citizenship acc. to Sec. 14 German Citizenship Law. Same applies to descendants of these individuals.

Please note: you will have to speak German on a fairly well level to be able to successfully apply for German Citizenship acc. to Sec. 14 Citizenship Law.

Further information and declaration forms can be found on the website of the Bundesverwaltungsamt.