German Citizenship by Descent in the USA

German nationality law follows descent. A child born in the United States became a US citizen by birth, without any application. That does not affect German citizenship acquired at the same time through a German parent. Many Americans are therefore dual citizens from birth.

Which parent could pass on German citizenship depends on the rules at the time of the birth:

• Born in wedlock between January 1, 1914 and December 31, 1974: through the German father. Through the German mother only from 1964, and only if the child would otherwise have had no citizenship.
• Born in wedlock since January 1, 1975: through either German parent.
• Born out of wedlock: through the German mother since 1914, through the German father since July 1, 1993, if paternity was established under German law.

A single break in any generation ends the chain for everyone born after it. Our guides explain the typical cases: great-grandparents, children born out of wedlock and ancestors who naturalized.

Until June 26, 2024, a German who became a US citizen on their own application generally lost German citizenship, unless the German authorities had approved keeping German citizenship beforehand. Until the end of 1999, this applied to Germans without a residence in Germany. Since June 27, 2024, Germany accepts dual citizenship. The change does not work backwards.

For your claim, the order of events matters:

• A child born before the parent’s naturalization was already German by birth and generally kept the citizenship.
• A child born after the naturalization could not receive German citizenship from that parent.
• Whether a minor child who became a US citizen together with a parent lost German citizenship as well depends on how the child acquired US citizenship. This has to be checked individually.

US naturalization often took several steps, starting with a declaration of intention, the so-called first papers. What counts for German law is the date your ancestor actually became a US citizen, not the date of the first papers.

Until the end of 1913, the nationality law of 1870 applied. A German who lived abroad for ten years without interruption lost German citizenship, unless he registered with a German consulate. The loss extended to his wife and to minor children living with him. For families who arrived before 1904 and never registered, the line usually ended at this point.

For emigrants to the United States there was an additional rule. Under the Bancroft Treaty of February 22, 1868 between the United States and the North German Confederation, a German who naturalized in the US and lived there for five years without interruption was treated by Germany as an American citizen. For many 19th century emigrants the question is therefore not if, but when the German citizenship ended.

For naturalizations from 1906 onwards, the US Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) hold the certificate files, known as C-files. You can request them through the USCIS Genealogy Program:

• An index search shows whether USCIS holds records on your ancestor and gives you the file numbers.
• With the file number you request the record itself with Form G-1041A. USCIS provides photocopies, not certified copies.
• For a person born less than 100 years ago, USCIS asks for proof of death.

Older naturalizations were handled by courts. Their records are often kept by the court or by the National Archives.

Until March 31, 1953, a German woman who married a non-German man generally lost her German citizenship. And a child born in wedlock before 1975 to a German mother and a non-German father generally did not become German at birth.

Since August 20, 2021, people affected by these rules can become German by declaration under Section 5 of the Nationality Act (StAG), if they were born after May 23, 1949. Their children and grandchildren can declare as well. The declaration has to reach the authorities by August 19, 2031. Read more: German citizenship through your mother.

Descendants of Germans persecuted by the Nazi regime between 1933 and 1945 have a separate claim to restoration of German citizenship.

The certificate of German citizenship costs 51 euros, a rejection between 25 and 51 euros. The BVA asks for payment at the end of the procedure.

According to the BVA, a processing time of two years is not unusual. Missing documents and follow-up inquiries add to this. Our document checklist and our article on processing times help you avoid the usual delays.

Find out whether your family line holds. Book your consultation today or call +1 587 349 3535.