Dual German/American citizenship?

Question

Who has applied and received it, and what was the process and criteria? I currently have German citizenship and have lived in the US over 20 years.

Answer 1

You can have both

Answer 2

Legally you can not have both, Germany is not a dual citizenship country.

If you're German living in the US then you can have both, unless of course you inform the German Embassy that you have been granted citizenship or the government of that country informs the German Embassy that you have gained citizenship. In Germany you can not have dual citizenship. Check out the government web site.

In my case, if I apply for German citizenship I would have to give up my Canadian citizenship, but then I can go back to Canada and reapply for my Canadian Passport and keep the German one. Here a quote from the site:

"The principle of the avoidance of multiple nationality still marks the law on nationality. Those applying for naturalization must in principle give up their foreign nationality. However in contrast to previous legislation, their are generous rules governing exceptions which allow the previous nationality to be retained. These apply for example to elderly persons and victims of political persecution. If release from the foreign nationality is legally impossible or unacceptable for such persons, for example due to high release fees or degrading methods of release, they can retain their previous nationality. This is also the case if the release from the foreign nationality would bring considerable disadvantages, especially economic disadvantages or problems with property and assets. There are special facilities for retaining previous nationality for citizens of most EU countries."

Provisions for Germans abroad

"The Federal Foreign Office played a decisive role in the reform of the law on nationality, as the reform does not just affect foreigners in Germany, but also Germans living abroad. The most important provisions for Germans living abroad are:

Children born abroad whose German parents or German mother or father were born abroad after 31 December 1999 (entry into force of the reform of the law on nationality), will in principle no longer acquire German nationality. The only exceptions to this rule are if the child would otherwise be stateless or if a notice of the birth is submitted by the German parents or parent to the competent mission of the Federal Republic of Germany within one year (Section 4, paragraph 4 of the Nationality Act - StAG).

It is now easier for former Germans who have lost their previous right to German nationality by acquiring a foreign nationality (Section 25 StAG) to re-acquire German nationality if they are ordinarily resident in the country and fulfil certain other prerequisites.

Former Germans can also re-acquire German nationality without having to give up their place of residence abroad, although considerable importance attaches to the position adopted by the relevant foreign mission (Section 13 StAG).

Foreigners can acquire German nationality abroad provided this is justified by special ties to Germany (Section 14 StAG).

It is now easier for Germans who acquire a foreign nationality to retain their German nationality under certain conditions. According to Section 25 (2) of StAG, public and private interests are to be taken into consideration for the decision on an authorization for nationality retention. For German persons living abroad the key factor is whether they have continuing ties to Germany, for instance close relatives or property in Germany. Please note that permission to retain German nationality has to be received prior to acquiring a foreign nationality.

German nationals required to perform military service who voluntarily enter the forces or comparable armed groups of a country of which they are also a national without the consent of the district draft board lose their German nationality automatically by virtue of law. Persons who are not subject to compulsory military service in Germany shall in any case lose their German nationality when entering foreign armed forces as it is not possible for them to receive the consent of the district draft board."

Answer 3

I have both. Go to the nearest INS Office and fill out an application.

It can take some time and you have to past a test before you can take the oath to become a US Citizen. Considering your German one, I renew my German Passport every 10 Years.

The Cost for Citizenship has changed recently, I had payed almost $1000 in Fees.

Good Luck

Answer 4

It might be difficult to keep both citizenships due to the german law.Wir sollten uns unbedingt einmal außerhalb dieses Forums unterhalten.My cousin is in the same situation right now.He lives in the US since 10 years,und ich hänge immer noch hier in Deutschland rum.I´m looking forward to your answer.Maybe we

can figure it out.Machs gut.Fritz

Answer 5

You can have both, but you have to apply to keep your German Citizenship with the German Government. You have to have a valid reason to keep it though....having family for example is NOT a valid reason for them. It is 255 Euro for the application.

Getting US Citizenship you fill out the form , send the money and take the test. Cost is about 500. I just got mine in March this year.

The link below will tell you about keeping your German Citizenship.