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Declaring renunciation of German citizenship - for persons 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 citizenship issues.

If you live abroad, have several citizenships and wish to renounce your German citizenship, you can submit a declaration of renunciation of German citizenship. If the renunciation can be approved, you will be issued with a certificate of renunciation.

Permission will not be granted if you belong to the following professional groups, among others:

  • active civil servants,
  • judges,
  • soldiers,

unless you have been living abroad permanently for at least 10 years.

If you are a minor, you can only renounce your German citizenship with the approval of the German family court responsible for you (at the local court). The approval of the family court is not required if the custodial parents or the parent with sole custody declare or declare the renunciation for themselves and at the same time for the minor child.

You can also appoint an authorized person, for example a lawyer, to make your declaration. You must submit a power of attorney for this.

You can obtain further information by telephone, e-mail or in a personal meeting from the German diplomatic mission responsible for you or from the Federal Office of Administration (BVA).

Notes:
A distinction must be made between renunciation and the release from German citizenship. Dismissal is an option if you wish to acquire a foreign nationality and must first renounce your German nationality.

You can declare your renunciation of German citizenship in writing to the competent German representation abroad, online or in writing directly to the Federal Office of Administration (BVA).

Process flow

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

Written declaration:

  • You can obtain the 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.
  • If you wish, the local diplomatic mission abroad can help you fill out the form.
  • Complete the form in full and sign it.
  • Submit the signed declaration 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 declaration and inform you if further documents and information are required to process the declaration.

Online application

  • Go to the website of the federal portal and fill in the application form for renunciation of German citizenship electronically. Note: You will need your ID card with PIN number for the online function.
  • Attach the other required documents as a file.
  • Submit your application.
  • The BVA will check your application and request any necessary documents as certified copies.

Complete the procedure (in writing and online):

  • If your application is approved, the BVA will send your waiver certificate to your responsible German diplomatic mission abroad. They will inform you about the further procedure for handing over the certificate.
  • You will lose your German citizenship when the renunciation certificate is issued. Your German identity documents will then become invalid. They will be confiscated by the diplomatic mission abroad.
  • If the BVA rejects your application, you will receive a notice of rejection.

Who should I contact?

Requirements

Declarations of renunciation of German citizenship can be submitted by

  • Germans with habitual residence abroad who have several nationalities

Further requirements:

  • for minors:
    • Approval of the German family court (at the local court) if the custodial parents or the parent with sole custody do not simultaneously declare or declare a waiver for themselves.

Note:
If you are liable for military service in Germany, you need the approval of the Federal Office of Bundeswehr Personnel Management. This is obtained from the Federal Office of Administration (BVA).

Which documents are required?

You must submit a declaration of waiver:

  • possible proof of German citizenship:
    • German identity card
    • German passport
    • (last) certificate of citizenship.
  • Possible proof of possession of the other nationality and permanent residence:
    • foreign identity card
    • foreign passport
    • (foreign) citizenship card
    • foreign registration confirmation
  • for minors:
    • Approval of the German family court

Notes:
Unless otherwise stated, please enclose officially or notarized copies of the documents and evidence. For the online application, you first need simple electronic copies. The Federal Office of Administration (BVA) will only request certified copies of any necessary documents and supporting documents in the online procedure after the application has been submitted.

What are the fees?

none

Note:
Please bear in mind that you may incur additional 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 2 to 3 months

Legal basis

Applications / forms

  • Contradiction

Appeal

  • Forms: yes
  • Online procedure possible: yes
  • Written form required: yes
  • Personal appearance required: yes (to receive the waiver certificate)

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

31.05.2021

Source: Zuständigkeitsfinder Thüringen (Linie6PLus)

Start your request directly online:

Competent Authority

Bundesverwaltungsamt (BVA)

Address
Barbarastraße 1
50735 Köln, Stadt

Postal address
50728 Köln, Stadt
Telephone
+49 228 99358-0
Fax
+49 228 99358-2823
E-Mail
Contact us
WWW
Website of the Federal Office of Administration (BVA)
Opening times

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