Thank you to everyone who commented. I definitely did have some things wrong.

My grandmother was born in 1949, in Germany to two German parents (in wedlock).
Her and her family moved to the United States when she was 4, and naturalized around 7.

She met my grandfather and applied for citizenship when she was 20. This makes me believe I am not eligible to get citizenship through her anymore.
My father was born in wedlock in 1977.

Is there still an eligible pathway? Anything I could potentially look into?

I got my passport renewed through the Los Angeles consulate, my appt was in July and I had my passport in hand 3 1/2 weeks later. I paid the expedited fee, they also fedex overnighted it from the Los Angeles consulate office to my home when it arrived from Berlin.

My 21 year old son also had his (first) passport application on July 21 at LA consulate. They won’t let you expedite the first one as they go over documents more carefully.

Will they also fedex overnight his passport when it arrives from Berlin? Or do they only do that for paid expedited cases?

We’re in a time crunch…
Son is leaving to study abroad in 2 weeks and we need this passport so he doesn’t have to apply for a student visa with his American passport.

Hello Folks.

I was wondering if there have been any recent cases of people who have applied for citizenship from Bonn.

I have been a permanent resident for a few years now and also eligible to apply for citizenship since, but I wasn’t keen on applying for citizenship because my country doesn’t allow dual citizenship and I was torn about it for emotional/social reasons.

However, because of the political situation on my country that doesn’t seem like it will change and the political situation here that seems like it is fast changing, I decided to bite the bullet and apply for citizenship here.

Would appreciate anybody who has recently applied from Bonn sharing their experience doing so, the timeline from application to receiving citizenship and any other information that is good to know for others like me applying for citizenship.

Thanks in advance 🙏🏻🙏🏻🙏🏻

Currently waiting for the Certificate of Non-Acquisition of US Citizenship from USCIS and the list showing my great great grandfather arriving at Ellis Island in 1906 from the NARA.

How long has it taken people to receive those documents after ordering them?

If I have an original letter from the year 1911 from the German Military to my great great grandmother saying her husband is serving, would those two other documents be needed?

Hi everyone,

has anyone here recently applied for **German citizenship through the Landratsamt Dachau** and could share their experience?

I’m especially interested in:

* When did you submit your application? * How long did it take until you received the first response? * Were you asked to submit additional documents? * How long did the whole process take until you received the **Einbürgerungsurkunde / naturalization certificate**?

The Landratsamt Dachau currently states a processing time of around 12 months, but I have also heard of significantly faster cases. So experiences from **2025 or 2026** would be especially helpful.

Thanks!

I would like to have some input regarding my situation.

Just today I received an appointment and an email stating,

“Einladung zur Aushändigung der Einbürgerungsurkunde”

Es gibt gute Neuigkeiten: Die Bearbeitung Ihres Einbürgerungsantrages kann abgeschlossen werden, wenn die abschließende Prüfung bei Vorsprache vor Ort ergibt, dass die Voraussetzungen für Ihre Einbürgerung weiterhin vorliegen. Bitte teilen Sie uns daher etwaige Änderungen Ihrer wirtschaftlichen oder persönlichen Verhältnisse vor dem Termin mit.

The problem is, just today I have registered my address in another state. I am aware of the fact that, I need to notify the residence change. But is there any chance that, my naturalisation case will not move over to the new state as the security checks are over? Or does it totally depend on the case worker?

Has anyone had this kind of experience recently?

Hey all,

I appreciate any time, information, and support for this. I did a brief search and couldn't find anything similar on the sub so forgive me if this question has been asked.

I posted information about my situation below but here is my question. Has anyone gone through the citizenship through decent process where your families surname changed when immigrating to the US? If so did this create any issues or more documentation? I was told my Opa changed our families last name so that it would be easier to pronounce for Americans. For instance the Surname on my dad and grandparents German documents says Stühl, but my dad's marriage certificate and U.S. Naturalization document say Stuehl.

I finally heard back from the Los Angeles consulate confirming that I should be a candidate for a German Passport and to schedule my appointment, but want to make sure I have all the possible documents in hand before the appointment.

My family history:
I was born in 1993 in California to a German father and a U.S. citizen mother, born in wedlock. My father was a German citizen at the time of my birth and later naturalized as a U.S. citizen in March 2021.

Documents I have:

• My birth certificate (US)
• My father’s German birth certificate (Homburg)
• My father’s Kinderausweis (1965)
• My father’s German passport (issued 1987)
• My father’s U.S. Certificate of Naturalization (2021)
• My Mothers Birth Certificate (1961)
• My parents’ marriage certificate (1987)
• My paternal grandparents’ marriage certificate (1958)

Thanks again

My citizenship is through my German mother

March 2026: made name declaration appointment

Early April 2026: name declaration appointment

Late May 2026: received name declaration paperwork and made passport appointments for me and 2 children

Mid-July 2026: passport appointments for all 3 of us

Late August 2026: received all 3 passports!

Thank you to everyone for their help and guidance!

Hello all. I am a german citizen and have been since birth. I have lived in the u.s. for most of my life, but have usually received my German passports in Germany when visiting my mother (German, lives in germany).

Recently I have tried going through the consulate in Chicago as I haven’t been able to visit Germany in the past few years and would like to have an EU passport before my next visit to the EU.

The consulate in chicago blindsided me by asking for a german birth certificate or a name declaration document to prove that my last name (hyphenated) is legal. I have been to going back and forth with them about this, but they recently made it clear that either I have my name declared retroactively or they will reject my passport application.

The trouble i’m having is that all the forms for either a name declaration or a registration of a foreign birth are designed for parents to fill out. I am a 25 years old, and my parents have not had legal authority over me in 7+ years. Even if I wanted to have them fill out these documents on my behalf (which I would find pretty silly and ultimately not legally binding) I live pretty far from both of my parents. As I understand it, I would need notarized signatures for this document, which means I can’t just have them e-sign it over to me.

Do I have any options here other than painstakingly mailing documents back and forth? Is there a version of either form that allows the adult child to be the signee and register their own birth or name?

Any new STAG 5 approvals? I feel like the number of people posting successes is reducing by the minute. Would be nice to know if approvals have begun for AZs in the second half of 2024 :)

Do I need a CONE if I have a green card to prove that my grandmother did not naturalize in the USA and remained a German citizen until her death? Green card expiration goes beyond her date of death.

See attached. Seems to recognize the public interest in pre 1949 gender discrimination applications.

https://nrwe.justiz.nrw.de/ovgs/vg_koeln/j2026/10_K_6237_23_Urteil_20260617.html

My mother, and all her family way back, are from Germany. She moved to the U.S. at age 12 in 1993. I was born in 2002, in wedlock, while my mom was a Greencard holder. My father is American.
In my vague understanding, I should be eligible for citizenship through descent, but am not entirely sure.

​

I would like to have some input regarding my situation.

Just today I received an appointment and an email stating,

“Einladung zur Aushändigung der Einbürgerungsurkunde”

Es gibt gute Neuigkeiten: Die Bearbeitung Ihres Einbürgerungsantrages kann abgeschlossen werden, wenn die abschließende Prüfung bei Vorsprache vor Ort ergibt, dass die Voraussetzungen für Ihre Einbürgerung weiterhin vorliegen. Bitte teilen Sie uns daher etwaige Änderungen Ihrer wirtschaftlichen oder persönlichen Verhältnisse vor dem Termin mit.

The problem is, just today I have registered my address in another state. I am aware of the fact that, I need to notify the residence change. But is there any chance that, my naturalisation case will not move over to the new state as the security checks are over? Or does it totally depend on the case worker?

Has anyone had this kind of experience recently?

I plan to submit my application next week after 10 months of securing documents.

This group has been exceptionally helpful. I am hoping y'all could doublecheck the list of documents I'm submitting and if it's enough? I got concerned this morning doublechecking the EER list of documents that would prove my grandmother's German citizenship and realized that, while I have a wealth of evidence proving German heritage, my grandmother's actual citizenship isn't spelled out anywhere. I only have unofficial photocopies of her German ID card and passport... my mom has no idea where the originals are.

I do have an original 1953 Auskunft aus dem Strafregister (police record clearance record) that states her Heimatgemeinde. She was also a teacher in Germany and there are tons of documents about that I am still sifting through.

I have an appointment at the Atlanta Consulate to have official copies made so no originals get lost.

Here is what I will be submitting:

German Documents

• Great grandfather's birth certificate - 1883, Breslau
• Great grandfather's marriage certificate - 1909, Gros-Neundorf (technically a stamped and certified copy from 1939 that I will have the Consulate make a copy of)
• Grandmother's birth certificate - 1923, Breslau
• Grandmother's Ahnentafel from 1940 which shows full family tree and official/unfortunate Nazi stamp. (not required but I believe a strong supplementary document)
• Grandmother's marriage certificate - 1954, Wiesbaden, Germany

Documents originating in US

• Mother's birth certificate - 1955, USA
• Grandmother's proof of American naturalization - 1965
• Mother's marriage certificate - 1980
• My birth certificate - 1986
• My marriage certificate - 2018
• My son's birth certificate - 2024

FBI background check

My passport (will get official copy made at Consulate)

Son's passport (will get official copy made at Consulate)

EER application

Any help is appreciated. Thank you so much!

Wenn ich Deutschland besuche, gibt es eine Möglichkeit, meinen Reisepass zu verlängern, ohne eine deutsche Auslandsvertretung aufsuchen zu müssen?

Hey Community! So far I have all the documents I need, but have been having issues with getting a response from the Archive in Brunsbüttel. Per Archion records, my Great Grandfather was born in Belmermoor on June 4 1885, so my document should be with the city of Brunsbüttel Archives per my research. I reached out to the Archives in Brunsbüttel late July but never even received an acknowledgement for my request. I sent a follow up today (9/1), 5 weeks after my inital request. Do I have any other options while I wait? Examples:

1) reach out to district or state archives to see if they can help?

2) submit application and then send the birth cert once it's received? I could send the archion image as a placeholder?

3) hire someone in the Dithmarschen district to obtain it?

4) Im just being impatient and need to wait 😅

Thanks for any advice/words of wisdom.

I was hoping to receive some information regarding other people's experience with RP Darmstadt.

I have received confirmation from RP Darmstadt that my documents have been recieved in August 2024.

In April 2026 I have filed a lawsuit, and after many reminders I have received the request to pay the fee and send in additional documents last month.

I have paid the fee and sent my lawyer all documents the next day which he then forwarded to the court for further forwarding to RP Darmstadt.

My question is mainly, did anyone have a similar experience, and can you tell me how long it took to receive a decision from Darmstadt after paying the fee and sending all the documents.

I would be very grateful for any input, especially regarding RP Darmstadt.

Many thanks 😊 🙏

Renewal of Old German Child Passport and BVA (Citizenship Verification Process)

Hello, I was born in Germany in 2009. My mother was also born in Germany and lived there continuously for about 26 years. However, she was not a citizen; she had a permanent residence permit. My father is Turkish. Two years after my birth (2011), my mother took me and we returned to Türkiye permanently, and she cancelled her residence permit. We have been living in Türkiye since 2011, and I have never been able to renew my passport. By the way, I am a dual citizen and I received my Turkish citizenship from my father by birth. I want to renew my passport now, but I am currently facing the possibility of a BVA (Citizenship Verification Process). What additional documents should I submit to the consulate to avoid this process? In addition to the basic documents requested by the consulate, I currently have the following:

- My mother's birth certificate

- A document showing my mother's uninterrupted 26-year residency.

-My mother's school report cards and bank documents

-German child passport

-My child allowance documents

-Detailed population registration certificate

Are these documents sufficient for the passport renewal process without leaving any questions in the mind of the consulate officer? Thank you for your answer.(I am live in Türkiye btw)

Hello. I'm wondering if anyone has experience with a situation similar to mine. I am technically ineligible to apply for StAG 5 because my mother became a U.S. citizen in 1971, prior to my birth. I have four siblings, all born before she was naturalized, who are therefore eligible. I have read that I may be eligible to apply for discretionary Stag 14, but I'm hearing conflicting info as to whether this is really a likely option.

Family ancestry details:

Grandparents: both German citizens, born 1888 and 1909 (in what was then Bohemia).

Mother

Born: 1939 as German citizen

Married: 1960 to a U.S. citizen

Emigrated: 1961 to U.S.

Naturalized: 1971, as U.S. citizen

My 4 siblings:

Born: between 1961 - 1967

Myself:

Born: 1976, in the U.S

Relevant details:

- I do speak/write German at an A2 level (and could easily brush up to B1)

- I do have strong, active links to Germany (still have family there that I am in regular contact with; have visited many times over the years; studied there for a few months in college (20 yrs ago); potentially have some professional links there now as well.

- I can show that I am financially self-sustaining.

Perhaps one other possibly relevant fact is that my mother naturalized as a U.S. citizen in 1971 partly because her brother wanted to move to the U.S in search of work and he needed a sponsor (a bit of a family hardship cause, in other words). And she assumed at that time that, due to current German law, her children were not eligible for German citizenship anyway.

One of my brothers (born 1963) is considering applying through Stag 5, and I am wondering if it makes any sense for me to try for Stag 14 at the same time. I have heard that it is possible, but I have also heard that Stag 14 really only works for those who can claim to contribute something utterly unique to German society (like famous athletes or musicians).

Any thoughts on this (whether it seems possible and how I should approach it), and especially any experience with similar dilemmas, are much appreciated!

Hello! I apologize if this is clear cut but I have a few family members telling me conflicting information and would appreciate your guidance.

I'm trying to determine my path to citizenship, or if I have it and am eligible to pursue a German passport. I was born in Frankfurt, Germany in 1987. My mother was a German citizen at the time of my birth, later giving it up ~2015. My father is a US citizen and they are married / were married at the time of my birth. We moved out of Germany at a young age and I never held a German passport.

My understanding is that having been born between 1975 and 1993, and my mother having held citizenship at the time of my birth, I automatically have gained citizenship and can apply for a passport through embassy/consulate (given all the correct paperwork).

Is this the case? Am I second guessing a simple process? Thank you for your time.

great-grandfather

• born in 1905 in [Bremen, Germany]
• emigrated in 1927 to [USA]
• married in 1938 [to American]
• naturalized in 1933

grandmother

• born in 1939 in [USA]
• married in 1965

mother

• born in 1970 in [USA]
• married in 1995

self

• born in 2000 in [USA]

Please let me know what additional information, if applicable, would be helpful to provide. Thanks!