Children born in wedlock between Jan. 1, 1914 and Dec. 31, 1974:

acquired German citizenship only if the father was a German citizen at the time of their birth.

Children born to a German mother in wedlock between Jan. 1, 1964 and Dec. 31, 1974:

only acquired German citizenship if they would have become stateless otherwise.

Children born in wedlock after Jan. 1, 1975:

acquired German citizenship if one of the parents was a German citizen at the time of their birth.

Children born in wedlock between April 1, 1953 and Dec. 31, 1974 to a German mother and a non-German father did not become German citizens by birth. However, during the years 1975, 1976 and 1977, their parents could claim German citizenship for them. The deadline for this procedure irrevocably ended on Dec. 31, 1977.

Children born out of wedlock to a German mother after Jan. 1, 1914 acquired German citizenship.

Children born out of wedlock to a German father after July 1, 1993 acquired German citizenship if (among other requirements) paternity had been established according to German law.

Children born out of wedlock to a German father before July 1, 1993 may acquire German citizenship by declaration before their 23rd birthday, if paternity has been established and if they have resided in Germany for at least three years. The declaration can only be made in Germany at the child's residence.

If you were adopted as a minor by at least one German citizen on or after January 1, 1977, you are a German citizen. If the adoption happened outside Germany it has to meet certain requirements.

Children who had been adopted by a German parent between Jan. 1, 1959 and Dec. 31, 1976 could have become a German citizen by declaration until Dec. 31, 1977.

Foreign women who married a German citizen between April 1, 1914 and Mar. 31, 1953 acquired German citizenship automatically.

Foreign women who married a German citizen between April 1, 1953 and Dec. 31, 1969 could have acquired German citizenship under certain conditions, esp. by declaration at time of marriage.

Since Jan. 1, 1970 the acquisition of German citizenship by marriage does not exist anymore. A foreign spouse can only naturalize if certain requirements are met.

Children born in Germany after Dec. 31, 1999 to foreign parents, who were legal residents of Germany for at least eight years, acquire German citizenship too. However, between the age of 18 and 23 they will have to decide whether to keep German citizenship or the citizenship of their parents.

Other reasons for acquisition of German citizenship include naturalisation. Please refer also to our special section for re-naturalisation of persons deprived of their German nationality due to political, racial or religious grounds between 30.01.1933 and 08.05.1945.

There are rare possibilities for naturalization especially for former German citizens.