apply for naturalisation as part of reparations - for persons who were expatriated during National Socialism and their descendants - abroad

You or your authorised representative can apply for naturalisation in the context of reparations in writing or by appointment in person at your competent German mission abroad or in writing or online at the Federal Office of Administration (BVA).
Written application

• You can receive all the necessary information in advance by e-mail, telephone or in a personal conversation on site (appointment). Among other things, you will receive information on which documents you should attach to your application.
• You can download the application form directly from the website of the Federal Office of Administration.
• If necessary, the diplomatic mission can assist you in filling out the application form.
• Fill out the application form completely and sign it.
• Submit the signed application by post or in person together with the required supporting documents to your local German mission abroad (appointment).
• However, contact with the diplomatic mission abroad is not mandatory. You can also send the application directly to the BVA by post.
• The BVA will review 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 naturalisation in the context of reparations electronically.
• Note: For the online function, you need an eIDAS-compliant form of authentication.
• Add the other required documents as a file.
• Submit your application.
• The BVA will review your application and, if necessary, request certified copies of the required documents.

Completion of the procedure (written and online):

• If your application is approved, the BVA will send your naturalisation certificate to the relevant diplomatic mission. This will inform you about the further procedure for handing over the naturalization certificate.
• If the BVA is unable to approve your application, you will be informed via the diplomatic mission abroad.

Applications for (re)naturalization can be submitted:

• 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

Other requirements:

• the revocation was effected by automatic loss in accordance with the 11th Ordinance to the Reich Citizenship Law of 25.11.1941 (applies to 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 the Revocation and Revocation of German Citizenship of 14.7.1933 (publication in the Reichsanzeiger)

and

• Your permanent residence is abroad

Hint:
If the German citizenship was not revoked by expatriation, but the ancestor lost it in connection with National Socialist persecution measures, naturalization according to § 15 StAG (reparation naturalization after persecution) may be considered.

When applying, you must submit:

• as persons of the immediate generation of those affected:
  • Birth certificate
  • up-to-date identity document, for example:
    • ID card or passport
  • Proof of previous possession of German citizenship, such as:
    • old German identity documents, including a passport,
    • Deregistration certificates from before 1945,
    • old certificate of origin
  • Evidence of the fate of persecution, e.g.
    • Entry of religious affiliation in birth or marriage certificates of:
      • To you or
      • Your parents or, where applicable,
      • Your grandparents or
      • Her great-grandparents
  • Endorsements in passport or other official documents
  • Indications of receipt of compensation payments under the Federal Compensation Act
  • where applicable, proof of name changes
  • if applicable, proof of acquisition of a foreign nationality
• as descendants of data subjects:
  • Birth certificate
  • up-to-date identity document, for example:
    • ID card or passport,
  • other civil status documents, such as:
    • birth certificates or marriage certificates,
  • Proof of your ancestors' previous possession of German citizenship, for example:
    • old German identity papers (until 1945),
    • Deregistration certificates (from before 1945),
    • old certificate of origin,
  • Proof of the fate of the ancestors persecuted, for example:
    • Entry of religious affiliation in birth or marriage certificates (ancestors until 1945),
    • Endorsements in old passports or on other official documents (until 1945),
    • Indications of receipt of compensation payments under the Federal Compensation Act
  • where applicable, proof of name changes,
  • if applicable, proof of the acquisition of a foreign ancestral nationality

none

Hint:
Please keep in mind that you may incur costs for obtaining certificates, translations and certifications.

none

• For the processing of the application: usually 18 – 24 months

• Forms: yes
• Online procedure possible: yes
• Written form required: no
• Personal appearance required: yes

• Contradiction

Federal Ministry of the Interior, Building and Community (BMI)

29.09.2021

The text was automatically translated based on the German content.