German Citizenship: Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about German citizenship by descent and restoration, answered plainly. This is a research aid, not legal advice — always confirm your own situation with the responsible German authority.

Am I eligible for German citizenship by descent?

Possibly. If you have a German parent, grandparent or (in restoration cases) a further ancestor, you may have a claim — it depends on who the ancestor was, when and where they were born, when they left Germany, and the law that applied at the time. The only way to know is to trace the line and the dates.

What is Article 116(2) of the Basic Law, and who does it help?

Article 116(2) restores German citizenship to people stripped of it on political, racial or religious grounds between 1933 and 1945 — and, importantly, to their descendants. If an ancestor lost German citizenship because they were persecuted, their descendants can usually reclaim it. There is generally no fee, and dual citizenship is allowed.

What is the difference between Article 116(2), StAG §5 and StAG §15?

Broadly: Article 116(2) covers descendants of those persecuted 1933–45. Sections 5 and 15 of the Nationality Act (StAG) are declaration-based routes that closed other historic gaps — for example people excluded by discriminatory rules, or certain descent lines through mothers. Which one fits depends on your family’s exact history and dates.

Can I keep my current citizenship?

In the restoration and declaration routes, Germany generally permits dual citizenship, so you usually keep your existing nationality. Since 27 June 2024 dual citizenship is broadly permitted, including for ordinary naturalisation. Confirm your specific case with the authority.

My ancestor’s town is in Poland (or elsewhere) today — does that break my claim?

No. What matters is the jurisdiction and the date. Borders moved a great deal (1871, 1919, 1938, 1945), so a town that is Polish, French or Czech today may have been German when your ancestor’s record was created. A birth in Breslau in 1925 is a German civil-registry record even though the city is Wrocław, Poland now.

What documents will I need?

Typically a chain of civil records (birth, marriage, sometimes death certificates) linking you to the German ancestor, plus evidence of the ancestor’s German citizenship and — for Article 116(2) — evidence of the persecution or loss of citizenship. The exact list depends on the route and the number of generations.

Why is finding the records the hardest part?

Because the evidence spans different offices, countries and eras. Before 1 October 1876 births, marriages and deaths were kept by churches; after that by the civil registry (Standesamt). Records sit in many archives, some digitised, some not, some that won’t post abroad. Locating the right office for each record is where most of the time goes.

Can I do all of this myself?

Yes — plenty of people do, and this guide is here to help. The forms are manageable and, for restoration routes, there’s usually no application fee. The part that trips people up is the evidence: finding the right archive for each record and obtaining certified copies from offices with their own rules and languages. Many start themselves and get help only where they get stuck.

Do I need a lawyer?

For most descent and restoration applications, no legal representation is required — the authorities process applications directly from the applicant. A lawyer earns their fee where there’s a genuine legal question: disputed eligibility, an appeal, or a point of law. The bulk of a typical case is a research problem, not a legal one.

Lawyer vs specialist researcher — what’s the real difference?

It’s about which job you’re paying for. A lawyer’s value is legal judgement, and their hourly rate is commonly several times that of a records researcher. For evidence-gathering, that legal expertise usually isn’t what’s being used. A specialist researcher does the archive legwork as their core skill, typically at a lower rate.

Isn’t fixed-cost, results-based research better than paying by the hour?

For a task of unknown length, usually yes. A fixed price tells you the cost up front and puts the risk of the hunt on the provider, not you. Results-based pricing also aligns incentives — you pay for records obtained, not hours spent — and for most people it saves both time and money versus an open-ended hourly clock.

How much does it cost?

The main costs are the records themselves (a fee per certificate, plus any apostilles and translations) and whatever help you choose to pay for. Restoration applications usually carry no government fee. Costs vary widely with how many generations and documents are involved.

How long does it take?

Anywhere from several months to well over a year, and sometimes two to three years for restoration cases. The application decision is often the quicker part; assembling the evidence is what stretches the timeline, especially where records are offline or held abroad.

Do I need a notarised power of attorney?

Usually your authority to a helper only needs a simple signature. A few German offices insist on a notarised power of attorney (a beglaubigte Vollmacht) — this can now be done online in a short video call across the EU, so it no longer means travel. It’s the exception, not the rule.

What is an apostille and when do I need one?

An apostille is an internationally recognised certificate confirming a public document is genuine. Some German offices ask for one on foreign documents; whether you need it depends on the office and the document.

Can someone collect records on my behalf?

Yes — with a letter of authority, a third party can request or collect records for you. This is often the only practical route for offices that don’t post abroad or only release documents in person.

What about my personal data and privacy?

You should expect any reputable helper to handle your family data lawfully (GDPR), keep it only as long as needed, and delete it on request. Ask before you share sensitive documents.

Where do I actually submit the application?

Restoration applications generally go to the Bundesverwaltungsamt (BVA) or the relevant German mission abroad, depending on the route and where you live. The BVA publishes current guidance — always check the latest before you file.