I’ve just been sent the formal requirements needed for me to obtain my German citizenship through my grandparents. I’ve passed the first test, so to speak, so the light at the end of the tunnel is definitely getting brighter. They’ve given me a list of six documents that I need to provide:
- my birth certificate
- the birth certificates of my mother and maternal grandparents
- either my Canadian passport or my valid BC driver’s license
- certified copies of all documents regarding the immigration to Canada of my maternal grandparents (provided by Citizenship and Immigration Canada) OR the last German passport or German citizenship certificate issued to my maternal grandparents
- certificate (“Record Letter”) issed by CIC for verification of when my maternal grandparents applied for Canadian citizenship
Once I’ve obtained these documents, I have to apply for a Certificate of German Citizenship from the Bundesverwaltungsamt in Cologne. Unfortunately, the application form is only available in German so I will have to get it translated. There is also a 25 euro application fee. If my application is denied there is an additional 18.75 euro processing fee.
Overall, the consulate has been incredibly helpful in assisting me and answering my questions. The process isn’t nearly as difficult as I thought it would be. Though I’m not looking forward to the 2 to 4 year waiting time for my application to be processed in Germany!
Hi Jordan,
) all have German passports.
I have a similar case to yours. Let me explain.
I was born in South Africa. My father at the time was not German, he was nationalised as a South African a few years before my birth, but he was born a German by German citizens (my Grand parents) in Zimbabwe (then Rhodesia).
My Father’s brothers (my uncles) children (my cousins!
I applied for German citizenship 4 years ago after gathering all the documentation they asked me for.
I got a letter of declination a couple of months ago, the reason being that my Father was not a German citizen when I was born. They quoted several passages from German Immigration Law.
I have the right to appeal this decision – which is what I want to do and I was hoping to draw from your experience as I see you too were declined in the first instance.
I would like to know: were your parents German citizens when you were born?
My application was declined by the BVA (Bundesverwaltungsamt) in Cologne, so I was wondering who dealt with your case, did it go beyond the Embassy in Vancouver? What I mean is – did it get to the BVA?
And, whereas the German consulate in Vancouver has been helpful, I haven’t had the same experience in Pretoria, nor London (I now live in the UK on a work permit).
I’ve had a helluva struggle I can tell you.
Cheers.
Karl.