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The location is used to determine the responsible office for the selected administrative service. In most cases you can enter your place of residence to find the competent authority. However, there are also cases in which a different location must be specified. Here are some examples:

Birth certificateYou want to get married and need a birth certificate. You live in Hanover, but you were born in Celle. You must therefore state your place of birth, i.e. Celle.

Business registrationYou would like to register a business in Braunschweig. Your place of residence is Hanover. You must therefore state the location of your future business, i.e. Braunschweig.

Apply for a building permitYou would like to build a house in Wunstorf and therefore apply for a building permit. Her place of residence is currently Hanover. You must indicate the place where the house is to be built. In this case it is Wunstorf.

Release from German citizenship for persons abroad

Read aloud

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 responsible for citizenship issues for people abroad.

If you live abroad and would like to be naturalized in another country and the foreign country requires you to give up your German citizenship, you can apply to be released from German citizenship. If the release can be approved, you will be issued with a certificate of release.

If you are a minor, you can only be released with the approval of the German family court responsible for you (at the local court). A minor child does not require permission from the family court if the custodial parent or the parent with sole custody makes the application for themselves and for the minor child at the same time.

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

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

Please note:
Renunciation of German citizenship is to be distinguished from dismissal. A renunciation can be declared by anyone who already has at least one other nationality in addition to German nationality and wishes to renounce their German nationality.

You can submit your application to renounce your German citizenship in writing to the relevant German representation abroad, online or in writing directly to the Federal Office of Administration (BVA).

Legal basis

Which documents are required?

When applying, you must submit

  • possible proof of German citizenship, such as:
  • German identity card,
  • German passport,
  • (last) certificate of citizenship

and

  • assurance of naturalization from the foreign state
  • for minors
    • Approval of the German family court

Note:

Unless otherwise stated, please enclose the documents and evidence as officially or notarized copies. 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.

Requirements

Applications for release from German citizenship can be submitted by

  • Germans with habitual residence abroad

Further requirements:

  • the foreign state demands that you give up your German citizenship in order to acquire the other citizenship
  • there is a written assurance from the foreign state that you will be naturalized
  • for minors:
    • Approval from the German family court (at the local court)

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).

What are the fees?

  • for the certificate of dismissal: EUR 51.00
  • for the notice of rejection: EUR 38, 00

Please note:
Please bear in mind that you may incur additional costs for the procurement of documents, translations and notarizations.

Process flow

You or your authorized representative can apply for the release from German citizenship in writing at the responsible German diplomatic mission abroad, directly in writing or online at the Federal Office of Administration (BVA).

Written application:

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

Online application:

  • Go to the website of the federal portal and fill out the application form for the release from German citizenship electronically. Note: For the online function, you will need your ID card with PIN number or another eIDAS-compliant form of authentication.
  • Attach the other required documents as a file.
  • Send your application.
  • The BVA will check your application and request any necessary documents as certified copies.

Completion of the procedure (written and online):

  • Once the decision has been made, you will receive a request to pay the procedural fee.
  • If your application is approved, the BVA will send your certificate of release to your competent German diplomatic mission abroad. They will inform you about the further procedure for handing over the certificate.
  • The release becomes effective when the release certificate is handed over. Your German identity documents will become invalid as a result. They will be confiscated by the diplomatic mission abroad.
  • In order to complete the process, naturalization in the foreign country must take place within one year of receiving the discharge certificate. Proof of naturalization must be submitted to the Federal Office of Administration.
  • If naturalization has not taken place within the one-year period, the discharge procedure becomes retroactively invalid in order to avoid statelessness. The certificate of release must be returned to the Federal Office of Administration.
  • If the BVA rejects your application, you will receive a notice of rejection.

Processing duration

  • for processing the application: usually 2 to 3 months

What deadlines do I have to pay attention to?

  • Once you have received your discharge certificate, you must naturalize in the foreign country within one year for the discharge to take effect.

Appeal

  • Contradiction

Applications / forms

  • Forms: yes
  • Online procedure possible: yes
  • Written form required: no
  • Personal appearance required: yes (for handing over the certificate of release)

Contact point

Responsible authorities

Read aloud

Bundesverwaltungsamt (BVA)
Address: Barbarastraße 1, 50735 Köln, Stadt
Timetable
Postal address: 50728 Köln, Stadt
Timetable
Telephone: +49 228 99358-0
Fax: +49 228 99358-2823
Email: Get in touch
www: https://www.bva.bund.de
Opening Hours:

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

Source: Serviceportal Niedersachsen (Portalverbund des Bundes und der Länder)

Further Links

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Single points of contact of the state of Lower Saxony, Single points of contact of the countries of Europe, advice and assistance for EU citizens and their families.
Access information on the single point of contact for the state of Lower Saxonyvisit Website Internal Market, Industry, Entrepreneurship and SMEsVisit advice and assistance for EU citizens and their families