Service Finder
Request clarification of the non-existence of an option obligation
Service Description
As it is only possible to hold several citizenships in exceptional cases, if you hold other citizenships in addition to the German citizenship you acquired at birth in Germany, you must generally declare whether you wish to retain your German or foreign citizenship after reaching the age of 21 (option procedure).
Before you reach the age of 21, you can apply to the citizenship authority for binding official proof that you are not subject to an option obligation in Germany and that you do not have to declare after you reach the age of 21 whether you wish to retain German citizenship or foreign citizenship of the citizenships you acquired at birth in Germany.
The citizenship authority determines the continued existence of German citizenship, among other things, if you grew up in Germany. You are considered to have "grown up in Germany" if you
- have or have had the center of your life in Germany for eight years,
- attended school in Germany for six years,
- have a school-leaving certificate obtained in Germany or have completed vocational training in Germany or
- in addition to German nationality, you have only acquired nationality by birth from other member states of the European Union or Switzerland.
If the citizenship authority approves your application, it will issue you with a written decision. You then do not need to do anything else and will retain your German citizenship even if you do not give up your foreign citizenships.
If you only have the nationality of another member state of the European Union or the nationality of Switzerland in addition to your German nationality, it is obvious to public authorities in Germany that you are not subject to the option requirement. You should then check whether you really have reason to apply for the determination anyway.
Process flow
- You must apply to the relevant citizenship authority for confirmation of your continued German citizenship (non-existence of an option obligation).
- To submit your application, use the application form provided for download by the citizenship authority or sent to you on request.
- Submit the completed application form with all required documents (see "Required documents") in clearly legible copies (on white paper, DIN A4) to the citizenship authority.
- Once the application documents have been received, the citizenship authority will contact you. You do not need to do anything else before then
- In the course of the procedure, the citizenship authority will ask you to submit the original documents for verification; you will then receive the documents back.
- If it is determined that you are not subject to the option requirement, you will be issued with a notice of continued German citizenship.
Competent authority
: The application is processed by theThe competent citizenship authority at the place of habitual residence of the applicant is responsible for processing the application.
Requirements
- You have not yet reached the age of 21.
- You have acquired German citizenship by birth in Germany in addition to at least one foreign citizenship by descent from your parents.
- You are currently in possession of German citizenship; it must not have been lost after your birth, for example through the acquisition of another citizenship.
- You are considered to have "grown up in Germany", i.e,
- You have or have had the center of your life in Germany for eight years,
- You have attended school in Germany for six years,
- You have obtained a school-leaving certificate or completed vocational training here or
- In addition to German citizenship, you only have EU citizenship or Swiss citizenship
Which documents are required?
- Fully completed application form
- Proof of identity (valid German passport or identity card)
- Proof of acquisition of German citizenship by birth and current possession of German citizenship: birth certificate, certificate of citizenship if applicable
- Proof of possession of foreign citizenship: foreign identity documents (passport, citizenship certificates), also for the parents if applicable
- Proof of non-existence of an option obligation:
- School reports proving that the applicant went to school in Germany for at least six years or
- Certificates of a school-leaving qualification obtained in Germany or vocational training completed in Germany.
What are the fees?
The declaratory decision is free of charge.
What deadlines do I have to pay attention to?
The notification of continued German citizenship (non-existence of an option obligation) is issued once and should therefore be stored securely and permanently. It will not be reissued if it is lost.
Processing duration
The duration of the application processing depends, among other things, on the factual accuracy of your information, the completeness of your application documents and the current capacities of the citizenship authority.
Appeal
Personal appearance required: Yes
Further Information
- Information provided by the Federal Office of Administration
Remark: The website provides more detailed information on the procedure for determining the non-existence of the option obligation and an electronically fillable application form (PDF file) for download. The information is aimed at Germans living abroad, but also applies if you have your habitual residence in Germany.
Author
Ministry of the Interior and Municipal Affairs of the State of Brandenburg, Department 21
The text was automatically translated based on the German content.
Technically approved by
Ministry of the Interior and Municipal Affairs of the State of Brandenburg
Professionally released on
08.02.2022
Source: Zuständigkeitsfinder Thüringen (Linie6Plus)
