German citizenship:

• German citizenship by declaration §5 StAG 
• Determination of German citizenship / Certificate of Citizenship §14 StAG

Declaration or application for German citizenship if you do have a German mother or father but never were considered German – §5 StAG (German Citizenship Law)

On August 20, 2021 the Fourth Act Amending the Nationality Act entered into force and 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 pursuant to §5 StAG (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 who lost her 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 contact us (Hyperlink) and schedule a consultation to determine if you are entitled to declare German Citizenship.

Applicants who were born before May 23rd, 1949 or whose German parent lost German citizenship before their birth – § 14 StAG

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 can apply for German Citizenship pursuant to § 14 StAG (German Citizenship Law). This applies to all individuals who were exempt from obtaining German citizenship due to gender discriminatory ruling. §14 StAG also applies to offspring of the above-mentioned individuals.

Please note: German language skills are required to successfully apply for German Citizenship based on §14 StAG.