How to Become an American Citizen As a German

A German flag

Unfortunately, Germany does not allow its citizens to hold dual nationality under normal circumstances. Germans must renounce, or rather automatically lose, their German citizenship if they apply or make claim to another citizenship. German citizens born to foreign citizen parents are entitled to dual citizenship until they are 23 years old, after which they must choose between the two. Those who wish to obtain American citizenship and lose their German citizenship can claim citizenship through parentage, marriage or naturalization.

Instructions

Through the U.S. Consulate

1. Pickup or download forms DS-2029 Application for Consular Report of Birth Abroad and DS-5507 Affidavit of Parentage from one of the U.S. consulate generals in Germany or from the website of the U.S. Department of State.

2. Complete the forms and compile the evidence. The application forms must be accompanied by your child's German birth certificate, proof of U.S. citizenship of at least one parent, passports of both parents, marriage certificate and court-issued proof of paternity if the child is born out of wedlock and the mother is not a U.S. citizen.

3. Access the website of your nearest U.S. consulate to schedule an appointment. Schedule the appointment as close to the birth as possible. Once the application is approved, the child will be given a U.S. birth certificate and dual citizenship until she reaches 23 years of age. If the child chooses to maintain U.S. citizenship after age 23, she lose her German citizenship.

Through the USCIS

1. Download Form N-600 or N-600K for children under the age of 18 from the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration website. The N-600K must be filed on behalf of the minor by a parent or legal guardian.

2. Complete the application form and gather the required supplemental documents. The N-600 and N-600K each require various documents, including proof of self and proof of legal U.S. connection through parentage. Refer to the USCIS document checklists for full requirements pertaining to application.

3. Submit the application and supporting documents to any USCIS service center. If your application is approved, you will lose your German citizenship once you receive your U.S. citizenship certificate.

Through Naturalization

1. Obtain an immigrant visa. If you have no connections to U.S. citizenship through birth, you must obtain an immigrant visa to apply for permanent residency. Immigrant visas can be obtained through employment sponsorship, marriage to a U.S. citizen, or sponsorship by a U.S. citizen family member.

2. Complete the required residency period. Before permanent residents can apply for citizenship, five years of continual residency must be fulfilled. If you are married to an U.S. citizen, only three years of residency are required.

3. Submit Form N-400 Application for Naturalization to the USCIS. The application fee, as of November 2010, is $675 and must accompany the application form and supplementary documents. When the application is approved, you will be contacted to schedule an interview with an USCIS officer.

4. Attend the citizenship interview. At the interview you will be required to submit a digital fingerprint scan and pass sufficiency exams in both English language and U.S. civics, including U.S. history and basic knowledge concerning how the U.S. government functions.

5. Attend the citizenship ceremony. New citizens cannot claim their certificate of citizenship until they attend a citizenship ceremony. You must pledge an oath of allegiance to the U.S. flag and U.S. government. After the ceremony you will be given your certificate and subsequently lose your German citizenship.

References

• USDS: Application for a Consular Report of Birth
• USCIS: N-600 Instructions
• USCIS: N-400
• EU Business: Turkish PM Urges Germany to Allow Dual Citizenship
• USCIS: Citizenship