Obtaining German Citizenship

Yeah,

My whole German-descendant family was skeptical, but I said "Forget it, I'll find out for myself." Look what a pretty Reissepass I got for my troubles.

Yes, my grandparents were both born in Germany, they emigrated to Canada in the 1950s and became Canadian. My mother was born here, and I still got my German citizenship. All I had to do was prove the German lineage. Honestly, they seemed very happy that I was interested in dual-citizenship. Despite all the negative advice I got from, well, everyone.

Just ask, what can they do...

Happy Travels,
Olivier
(And try to answer my other post

That's crazy. I looked on the German embassy website and it mentions all sorts of stuff about needing to prove your father's citizenship or your mothers, etc. But nothing about Grandparents.

I'll have to ask my Oma if she's got her papers kicking around somewhere

It also doesn't help that I just pulled this from the German Foreign Office website:

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My ancestors were German nationals. Can I get a German passport?

German passports are only issued to German citizens. Having German ancestors is unfortunately not enough to attain German citizenship. Rather, your father and/or mother have to have been German citizens at the time of your birth. If you were born before 1 January 1975 and your parents were married, you only attained German citizenship if your father was German at the time of your birth or if your parents submitted a declaration by 31 December 1977 stating they wanted German citizenship for their child.
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Ok, just talked to the consulate in Vancouver and they basically said I can't get it.

In fact, strangely, they said that I can't get it because my parents were born in Germany but then became Canadian citizens as children. If they were born in Canada though, I'd be able to get citizenship. Makes no sense..They're technically 'more' German, but I can't get the passport because they were born in Germany.

Maybe I'll talk to that lawyer

Yeah that's crazy guys,

I figure you should make a trip out of it: Backpack to Montreal, go out on the town (I love it here) and then pay a visit to the (apparently) only friendly German consulate in Canada and get a German passport.

Problem solved, lol.

Happy Travels,
Olivier

I was thinking that - Maybe I should just call the Montreal consulate.

The only thing I can think of is that your grandmother was a German citizen at the time your mom was born..That would make her german, and you german by default. That's the only way I can figure it worked for you.

I talked to that lawyer mentioned on the first page of this post, and they said I would have to go through a long process (up to two years) in the German courts and stuff.

Cost: $6,500

But - They say I have a very good case for the citizenship..My last name is German, I can prove easily my German lineage, and I still have some family living in Germany.

But she said I'd have to be able to speak German..I'd have to brush up a bit. I don't think being able to order a beer qualifies as competent language skills

I still think its worth checking out - for free that is.

Yes, my grandmother was still German when my mother was born because my mother's name was on her last german passport (which may have helped). But from the way my story was received by the consulate staff, it didn't seem to matter who was what and born when - only that someone was german, enabling me to be german as well.

Your guess may be right, but as it stands, I am the only current German citizen in my family. Even though I used my mother's eligibility to get my passport, she isn't a german because she never filed a request.

Honestly, I think you should go to the office and ask them. I walked in with only questions and the story of my grandparents moving from germany after the war. The man said: Bring back something that proves one of your grandparents was at one point german, (plus all the other stuff I mentioned in my first post) and you will have it.

Happy Travels,
Olivier

Crazy..That'd be so cool if I could get it the same way.

But, yeah, I'm sure that your mom's name on your grandmothers passport helped.

But...Maybe, just maybe what are the chances of them checking things out? I have my dad's original birth certificate. I could say that he became canadian after I was born, but doesn't have his old passport. His birth certificate would still prove he was German.

Just not when he became Canadian.

But I'm sure they must have ways to figure that out.

Hi
I was reading how Oliver got his passport and I have questions. Did you not have to apply for a certificate of citizenship first? At the San Francisco Consulate I was told I HAVE to and that takes an average of 6 months.

I am german because my father's mother is german. She was unmarried when she had him. Since he is automatically german I am too. But they also said my father must apply for a certificate as well.

I just want to clarify that in your consulate you did NOT apply for a certificate of citizenship, you just got a passport and that's it?

Thats awesome!

My grandparents are German as well, and my parents were born there but no longer have any citizenship with germany..They've been Canadianized.

Are you able to do it just with your grandparents passport / proof of citizenship?

I just got my German citizenship after 9 months of waiting.
Great assistance from both Tokyo and Toronto German consulates.
Grandfather (German) - father (German) - me (now a proud German!)

Get your papers in order and try. I was told it would never happen.
Well, I did it and I am proud to be a German citizen now and will make the most of my life in Germany.

Blutsrecht. Maybe case by case but it worked for me and I am ready for my new chapter in life!