Citizenship
Most of our information on German citizenship and topics such as the "Beibehaltungsgenehmigung" can be found on our German webpage only, in particular, if German language skills are a requirement. Please refer to our information in German:
Information on German citizenship in German language
Persons permanently residing outside of Germany may contact their local German mission (embassy, consulate general or other consular office) for initial information; their applications for naturalization are handled by the Federal Office of Administration in Cologne.
Please note: If you were born in Germany before January 1, 2000 to parents who were not Germans at the time of your birth you did not become a German citizen by birth
General information on obtaining German citizenship
Information on Certificate of Citizenship [pdf, 19,07k]
Application Form for a Certificate of Citizenship
Translation help [pdf, 36,19k]
English translation help (Form V), [pdf, 20,52k]
General info in English (Merkblatt) [pdf, 70,56k]
English translation help (Form for under 16yrs) [pdf, 36,88k]
Information on obtaining/re-obtaining German Citizenship for former German Citizens and their descendants who were persecuted on political, racial and religious grounds between January 30, 1933 and May 8, 1945
General information on losing German citizenship
Renunciation of German Citizenship
