Apply for naturalization within the framework of reparation - for persons expatriated during National Socialism and their descendants - abroad.

The Federal Office of Administration (BVA) is a German higher federal authority in the portfolio of the Federal Ministry of the Interior, for Construction and Home Affairs (BMI). Among other things, it is responsible as the citizenship authority for persons abroad for issues related 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 a naturalization certificate. After that, you will have German citizenship.

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

If you live abroad, you can submit your application for (re)naturalization within the framework of the redress process in writing or in person (appointment) at your locally competent foreign representation or in writing and online at the Federal Office of Administration (BVA).

Notice:

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

Requirements

Applications for (re)naturalization may be submitted by:

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

or

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

Further requirements:

• the deprivation occurred by automatic loss according to the 11th Ordinance to the Reich Citizenship Law of 25.11.1941 (concerns 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 according to the law on 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If the German citizenship has not been withdrawn by denaturalization, but the ancestor has lost it in connection with National Socialist persecution measures, a naturalization according to § 15 StAG (Wiedergutmachungseinbürgerung nach Verfolgung) can be considered.

What documents do I need?

• as persons of the generation directly affected
  
  • Birth certificate,
  • current identity document, for example, identity card or passport
  • Proof of former possession of German citizenship, for example
    - old German identity documents, including a passport
    - deregistration certificates from before 1945
    - old Heimatschein (certificate of origin)
  • proof of persecution fate, 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
    - notations in your passport or on other official documents
    - references to receipt of compensation payments according to the Federal Compensation Law
  • if applicable, proof of name changes
  • if applicable, proof of acquisition of a foreign citizenship
• as descendants of affected persons
  
  • Birth certificate,
  • current identity document, for example, identity card or passport,
  • other civil status documents, for example birth certificates or marriage certificates,
  • Proof of previous possession of German citizenship by your ancestors, for example old German identity papers (until 1945), deregistration certificates from before 1945, old Heimatschein,
  • proof of the persecution fate of your ancestors, for example
    - entry of religious affiliation in birth or marriage certificates (ancestors up to 1945)
    - notations in old passports or on other official documents (up to 1945)
    - references to receipt of compensation payments under the Federal Compensation Law
  • if applicable, proof of name changes,
  • if applicable, proof of acquisition of a foreign nationality of the ancestors