How to Apply for German Citizenship by Descent: Step by Step
The route from tracing your line to submitting the application — and why the evidence, not the form, is the hard part.
The application itself is usually the straightforward part: identify your route, establish your line to a German ancestor, gather the supporting records, complete the form, and submit to the Bundesverwaltungsamt (BVA) or a German mission abroad. Locating and obtaining the records is where most of the time and effort goes.
Step 1 — Identify your route
Work out which route fits your family: descent from a German parent or grandparent, or restoration under Article 116(2) or the StAG declaration routes for descendants of those persecuted between 1933 and 1945. The route determines the form and the evidence.
Step 2 — Trace the line and the dates
Map each generation between you and the German ancestor, with dates and places of birth, marriage and emigration. The dates and the jurisdiction that held each record decide the outcome — not simply how many generations back you go.
Step 3 — Locate and obtain the records
Find the office holding each civil record and obtain a certified copy. This is the demanding part: records span different offices, countries and eras, and some are offline or won’t be posted abroad. Our records and archives guide explains how to work out which authority holds what.
Step 4 — Certified copies, apostilles and translations
German authorities usually want certified copies, sometimes with an apostille, and documents in other languages may need certified translation. Requirements vary by office and document, so check before you order.
Step 5 — Complete the form and submit to the BVA
Complete the application for your route and submit it, with the evidence, to the Bundesverwaltungsamt or the relevant German mission abroad. The BVA publishes current guidance — always check the latest before you file.
Step 6 — Confirmation and processing
You should receive confirmation of receipt within a few months, then a longer processing period. Restoration cases can take up to two to three years, largely depending on how complete the evidence is.
Where do I submit my application?
To the Bundesverwaltungsamt (BVA), or a German mission abroad if you live outside Germany.
Do I apply before or after gathering records?
Gather the core evidence first; the application is assessed on the records you submit.
Can someone apply on my behalf?
You can authorise a helper for records and correspondence; the declaration itself is made by you.