You or your authorized representative can apply for the release from German citizenship in writing at the competent German diplomatic mission abroad, directly in writing or online at the Federal Office of Administration (BVA).

Written application:

• You can obtain the application form locally from your local German diplomatic mission abroad or download it online from the BVA website.
• If you live in Germany, please contact your local city or district administration. They will provide you with the appropriate application forms.
• On request, the local diplomatic mission abroad will help you fill out the application form.
• Complete the application form in full and sign it.
• Submit the signed application form by post or in person together with the required supporting documents to your local German diplomatic mission abroad.
• However, it is not compulsory to contact the diplomatic mission abroad. You can also send the declaration 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 the release from German citizenship electronically. Note: For the online function, you will need your ID card with PIN number or another eIDAS-compliant form of authentication.
• Attach the other required documents as a file.
• Send your application.
• The BVA will check your application and request any necessary documents as certified copies.

Completion of the procedure (written and online):

• Once the decision has been made, you will receive a request to pay the procedural fee.
• If your application is approved, the BVA will send your certificate of release to your competent German diplomatic mission abroad. They will inform you about the further procedure for handing over the certificate.
• The release becomes effective when the release certificate is handed over. Your German identity documents will become invalid as a result. They will be confiscated by the diplomatic mission abroad.
• In order to complete the process, naturalization in the foreign country must take place within one year of receiving the discharge certificate. Proof of naturalization must be submitted to the Federal Office of Administration.
• If naturalization has not taken place within the one-year period, the discharge procedure becomes retroactively invalid in order to avoid statelessness. The certificate of release must be returned to the Federal Office of Administration.
• If the BVA rejects your application, you will receive a notice of rejection.