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Applying for naturalization as part of restitution - for persons who were expatriated during National Socialism and their descendants - abroad

Service Description

The Federal Office of Administration (BVA) is a German higher federal authority within the portfolio of the Federal Ministry of the Interior, Building and Community (BMI). Among other things, it is the citizenship authority for persons abroad and is responsible for all matters relating to citizenship.

You can be re-naturalized if you were deprived of your German citizenship during the National Socialist era. If you are a descendant of such a person, you are also entitled to naturalization.

If you meet the requirements for (re-)naturalization, you will be issued with a naturalization certificate. You will then have German citizenship.

You can also appoint an authorized person for your application, for example a lawyer. You must enclose a power of attorney for this purpose.

If you live abroad, you can submit your application for (re-)naturalization in writing or in person (appointment) to your local diplomatic mission abroad or in writing and online to the Federal Office of Administration (BVA).

Please note:

If you already live in Germany, please contact the local citizenship authority responsible for your place of residence for a procedure to determine your German citizenship.

Process flow

You or your authorized representative can apply for naturalization as part of the restitution process in writing or by appointment in person at your competent German diplomatic mission abroad or in writing or online at the Federal Office of Administration (BVA).
Written application

  • You can obtain all the necessary information in advance by e-mail, telephone or in a personal meeting on site (appointment). Among other things, you will receive information on which documents you should enclose with your application.
  • You can download the application form directly from the website of the Federal Office of Administration.
  • If necessary, the diplomatic mission abroad can assist you in completing the application form.
  • Complete the application form in full and sign it.
  • Submit the signed application by post or in person together with the required supporting documents to your local German diplomatic mission abroad (appointment).
  • However, contacting the diplomatic mission abroad is not mandatory. You can also send the application directly to the BVA by post.
  • The BVA will check your application and inform you if further documents and information are required to process the application.

Online application

  • Go to the website of the federal portal and fill out the application form for naturalization as part of the restitution process electronically.
  • Note: You will need an eIDAS-compliant form of authentication for the online function.
  • Attach the other required documents as a file.
  • Submit your application.
  • The BVA will check your application and request certified copies of any required documents.

Complete the procedure (in writing and online):

  • If your application is approved, the BVA will send your naturalization certificate to the relevant diplomatic mission abroad. They will inform you about the further procedure for issuing the naturalization certificate.
  • If the BVA is unable to approve your application, you will be informed by the diplomatic mission abroad.

Who should I contact?

Requirements

Applications for (re-)naturalization can be made by

  • former Germans who were deprived of their German citizenship between January 30, 1933 and May 8, 1945 due to political, religious or racial persecution

or

  • Descendants of persons who were deprived of their German citizenship between 30.01.1933 and 08.05.1945 due to political, religious or racial persecution

Further requirements:

  • the deprivation was effected by automatic loss in accordance with the 11th Ordinance to the Reich Citizenship Act of 25.11.1941 (applies to all Jewish German citizens who had their habitual residence abroad at the time of entry into force or later)

or

  • by loss in individual cases in accordance with the Law on the Revocation and Deprivation of German Citizenship of 14.7.1933 (published in the Reichsanzeiger)

and

  • Your permanent residence is abroad

Note:
If the German citizenship was not revoked by expatriation, but the ancestor lost it in connection with National Socialist persecution, naturalization according to § 15 StAG (Wiedergutmachungseinbürgerung nach Verfolgung) may be possible.

Which documents are required?

You must submit your application:

  • as a person of the immediate affected generation:
    • Birth certificate,
    • current identity document, for example:
      • ID card or passport
    • Proof of previous possession of German citizenship, such as
      • old German identity documents, including a passport,
      • de-registration certificates from before 1945,
      • old certificate of origin
    • Proof of the fate of persecution, for example
      • Entry of religious affiliation in birth or marriage certificates of:
        • You or
        • your parents or, if applicable
        • your grandparents or
        • your great-grandparents
    • Endorsements in your passport or on other official documents
    • Information on receipt of compensation benefits in accordance with the Federal Compensation Act
    • where applicable, proof of name changes
    • if applicable, proof of the acquisition of a foreign nationality
  • as descendants of the persons concerned:
    • Birth certificate,
    • current identity document, for example:
      • ID card or passport,
    • other civil status documents, for example:
      • Birth certificates or marriage certificates,
    • Proof of previous possession of German citizenship of your ancestors, for example:
      • old German identity papers (until 1945),
      • de-registration certificates (from before 1945),
      • old certificate of origin,
    • Proof of the persecution fate of the ancestors, for example:
      • Entry of religious affiliation in birth or marriage certificates (ancestors up to 1945),
      • Notes in old passports or on other official documents (up to 1945),
      • Information on receipt of compensation benefits under the Federal Compensation Act
    • if applicable, proof of name changes,
    • where applicable, proof of the acquisition of a foreign nationality by ancestors

What are the fees?

none

Note:
Please bear in mind that you may incur costs for the procurement of documents, translations and notarizations.

What deadlines do I have to pay attention to?

none

Processing duration

  • For processing the application: usually 18 - 24 months

Legal basis

Applications / forms

  • Contradiction

Appeal

Further Information

Author

Forwarding service: Deep link to the original portal

The text was automatically translated based on the German content.

Technically approved by

Federal Ministry of the Interior, Building and Community (BMI)

Professionally released on

29.09.2021

Source: Zuständigkeitsfinder Thüringen (Linie6PLus)

Competent Authority

Bundesverwaltungsamt (BVA), Einbürgerung

Postal address
50728 Köln, Stadt
Telephone
+49 228 99358-4485
Telephone
+49 221 758-4485
Fax
+49 228 99358-90103
Fax
+49 221 758-90103
E-Mail
Contact us
DE-Mail
poststelle@bva-bund.de-mail.de
Opening times

Monday to Thursday 8:00 am to 4:30 pm
Friday 8:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.