German nationality Determination of the continued existence of German citizenship for children born in Germany within the framework of the option obligation

German citizenship: Determination of the continued existence of German citizenship for children born in Germany within the framework of the option obligation.

Since the possession of several nationalities is only possible in exceptional cases, if you have other nationalities in addition to the German citizenship acquired at your birth in Germany, you must declare after the age of 21 whether you want to retain German or foreign citizenship (option procedure).

Before you reach the age of 21, you can apply to the citizenship authority for binding official proof that you are not subject to an option in Germany and do not have to declare after reaching the age of 21 whether you want to retain German citizenship or foreign citizenship of the nationalities you acquired in Germany when you were born.

The citizenship authority determines the continued existence of German citizenship, among other things, if you grew up in Germany. You are considered to have "grown up in Germany" if you

• eight years had their center of life in Germany,
• have attended school in Germany for six years,
• have a school leaving certificate obtained in Germany or a vocational training completed in Germany, or
• in addition to German citizenship, only other Member States of the European Union or Switzerland have acquired by birth.

If the nationality authority accepts your application, it will give you a written decision. You do not need to do anything else and retain your German citizenship even if you do not give up your foreign citizenship.

If, in addition to German citizenship, you only have the nationality of another member state of the European Union or the nationality of Switzerland, it is obvious to public authorities in Germany that you are not subject to an option. You should then check whether you really have reason to apply for the declaration anyway.

• Proof of identity (valid German passport or identity card)
• Proof of acquisition of German citizenship by birth and current possession of German citizenship: birth certificate, nationality certificate if applicable
• Proof of possession of foreign nationalities: foreign identity documents (passport, certificates of nationality), if necessary also for the parents
• Proof of non-existence of an option obligation:
  • School reports proving that the applicant has attended school in Germany for at least six years, or
  • Certificates of a school leaving certificate obtained in Germany or vocational training completed in Germany.

Personal appearance required: No

• You have not yet reached the age of 21.
• In addition to at least one foreign nationality acquired by descent from your parents, you have also acquired German citizenship by birth in Germany.
• You are currently in possession of German citizenship; it must not have been lost after your birth, for example by applying for another nationality.
• They are considered to have "grown up in Germany", i.e.
  • You have or have had your center of life for eight years in Germany,
  • You attended school in Germany for six years,
  • You have obtained a school leaving certificate or completed vocational training in Germany, or
  • In addition to German citizenship, you only have EU citizenship or that of Switzerland

• You must apply to the competent citizenship authority for a determination of the continued existence of German citizenship (non-existence of an option obligation).
• Upon receipt of the application documents, the citizenship authority will contact you. You don't need to do anything before you
• If it is determined that you are not subject to an option, you will be issued with a notification of the continued existence of your German citizenship.

The notification of the continued existence of German citizenship (non-existence of an option obligation) is issued once and should therefore be kept safely and permanently. It will not be reissued if it is lost.

Depending on the individual case. The duration of the application processing depends, among other things, on the factual accuracy of your information and the completeness of your application documents.

Application for a declaration: Fee free of charge