Are you eligible for German Re-Naturalization? Legacy Tree Genealogists can provide the research necessary for a successful application.
Immigrant Ancestor Research & German Re-Naturalization
There is no question that the excitement and intrigue of discovering your ethnic origins can be addicting. The stories of the travels, trials, and successes that eventually led to your very existence often bring deep respect and appreciation for those who came before you. This is especially true of those persecuted German citizens who lost their citizenship under the Nazi regime.
Today, Germany’s process of Re-Naturalization offers a method to reacquire German citizenship which had been lost due to persecution on political, racial or religious grounds between January 30, 1933 and May 8, 1945 to former German citizens and their descendants who have survived Nazi persecution. Two main groups were targeted between 1933 and 1945: individuals who were members of Communist or Social Democratic Parties and Jews who left Germany before and just after World War II .
What are the requirements for German Re-Naturalization?
Since the institution of the Re-Naturalization process many applicants have regained their German citizenship, however in August 2019, the German Federal Ministry of the Interior eased requirements for certain eligible classes of persons. They include:
- children born in wedlock before April 1, 1953, to German mothers whose citizenship had been revoked and foreign fathers;
- children born out of wedlock before July 1, 1993, to German fathers whose citizenship had been revoked and foreign mothers, provided the paternity of those children was recognized and determined under German law prior to their reaching the age of 23; and
- children whose German parent had acquired foreign citizenship and lost their German citizenship amid National Socialist persecution, including children whose mothers emigrated as a result of persecution and lost their German citizenship prior to April 1, 1953, through marriage to a foreign man;
- and, in most cases, their descendants.
This broadening of eligible applicants brings the opportunity for German citizenship and a connection to the European Union (EU) for many more individuals. This can include all descendants, regardless of whether they are in the second, third, fourth or in some cases, even fifth generation.
Documentation needed to apply for German Re-Naturalization
As part of this citizenship application process, you’ll be required to obtain very specific types and pieces of documentation for yourself and each family member going back to the target ancestor. You’ll generally need to obtain certain types of birth, marriage, and death records as well as old German passports of the German emigrant and copies of the naturalization papers of other countries where the German emigrant has been naturalized after leaving Germany for each direct-line ancestor going back to the one you are applying through.
Our team of professional genealogists can help!
Because many records can only be ordered by direct family members, and you are required to make your own consulate appointments and appearances, you definitely need to be ready to be involved in the process. However, a genealogist can do much of the work for you by researching the correct dates and places where events occurred, determining what kinds of records you need and where to obtain them from, and even helping fill out applications for you to send in when needed…leaving you a lot more time to go on with your busy life!