How to Apply for German Citizenship by Descent [2026 English Guide]

Key Takeaways

• The Federal Office of Administration (Bundesverwaltungsamt, BVA) in Cologne is the sole authority that confirms German citizenship by descent, even for applicants who have never lived in Germany.
• Applicants living abroad submit through their nearest German mission or send documents directly to BVA in Cologne. Applicants already living in Germany apply through their local city or county administration instead.
• You should complete two types of forms for the application. The first form is called the Antrag F for applicants 16 and older, or Antrag FK for applicants under 16. The other form is an Anlage V for each generation of German ancestry claimed.
• BVA accepts only officially or notarially certified copies of supporting documents. Plain photocopies are rejected. BVA also does not accept certifications from non-German police departments.
• Average processing time runs two to three years. BVA can request additional documents at any point during that window.

Table of Contents

Germany recognizes six main paths to citizenship

• Naturalization
• Descent
• Adoption
• Birth
• Marriage
• Citizenship by declaration

This guide covers the paperwork and process for descent via the standard descent-confirmation route. This means BVA confirms the citizenship you already hold through a parent.

There are other routes for citizenship claims. That includes claims based on historical gender-discrimination rules under StAG Sections 5, 14, or 15, or restitution claims under Article 116(2) of the Basic Law. Those routes use different forms and a different legal basis. For eligibility rules, see our guide on German Citizenship by Descent.

What Does “Establishing” German Citizenship by Descent Mean?

German citizenship by descent does not require an application for a new status. A person with a German parent who held German citizenship at the time of birth is already a German citizen.

To establish your citizenship, you go through the Feststellungsverfahren or an establishment procedure. This procedure asks BVA to confirm that you are already a German citizen. Once BVA confirms it, BVA issues an official certificate proving your citizenship. This certificate is called the Staatsangehörigkeitsausweis.

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What Forms Do You Need for a German Citizenship by Descent Application?

Establishing citizenship by descent requires a written application to BVA. Every applicant aged 16 or older fills out Antrag F. Applicants under 16 use Antrag FK instead. Both forms must be completed legibly, in German, and signed.

Anyone claiming citizenship through an ancestor also completes Anlage V. BVA requires one Anlage V per generation. An applicant tracing citizenship through a great-grandparent submits a separate Anlage V for the grandparent and another for the great-grandparent, each filled out individually.

BVA publishes an official instruction sheet (Merkblatt) alongside both forms. Applicants assigning a third party to handle correspondence also need the power-of-attorney form from the same download package.

What Documents Do You Need for German Citizenship by Descent?

BVA organizes required documents into two categories. Most applications need evidence from both categories. Submit each of these documents that apply to your case.

Proof of descent and identity:

• Birth certificates
• Certificates of descent
• Marriage certificates
• Family record books
• Foreign identity documents (e.g., passports, national ID cards)

Proof of German citizenship or legal status as a German:

• German identity documents (e.g., passports, ID cards)
• Naturalization certificates
• Acquisition certificates (by declaration or option)
• Resettler or displaced-person certificates
• Citizenship certificates or Heimatscheine
• Extract from the German residence register

NOTE: BVA accepts only certified copies, not plain photocopies. A notary, government office, or German diplomatic mission can issue the certification. BVA rejects certifications from some foreign police departments. Confirm accepted certifiers with your nearest mission before paying.

Keep proof of non-acquisition of other citizenships, proof of the citizenships you hold, proof of your residence permit in your country of residence (e.g., a Permanent Resident Card), and any name-change certificates on hand. Documents from multiple countries and generations often have name-spelling differences from transliteration or marriage. BVA expects the chain of descent to be documented without gaps. Resolve or explain any name mismatch before submission, not after.

Where Do You Submit a German Citizenship by Descent Application?

Applicants living outside Germany submit the signed application either through their nearest German mission or directly to BVA. Two mailing addresses apply, depending on where the application originates:

• From within Germany: Bundesverwaltungsamt, 50728 Köln
• From outside Germany: Bundesverwaltungsamt, Barbarastr. 1, 50735 Köln, Germany

BVA advises against submitting by email or fax. The office requires original documents or certified copies, not scans. Applicants who already live in Germany apply through their local city or county administration (Stadt- or Kreisverwaltung) instead of BVA directly.

How Long Does German Citizenship by Descent Take?

BVA sends a receipt confirmation with a case file number. This number is called the Aktenzeichen. Applicants should cite this number in every future communication with BVA.

Average processing time for the establishment procedure is two to three years. BVA can request additional documents at any point during this time. This can extend the timeline. Applicants who move during processing must notify BVA of their new address. They must also cite their Aktenzeichen in that notification.

You can also consult an immigration lawyer if your case stalls or if you are unsure how to respond to a BVA request. You can book the services of an immigration lawyer we recommend here.

Consult an Immigration Lawyer

• An immigration lawyer can help you accelerate your German citizenship application.
• The lawyer can file a lawsuit on your behalf.
• You can clarify your doubts regarding German citizenship.

Consult a Lawyer

Once BVA establishes citizenship, it sends the Staatsangehörigkeitsausweis to the applicant’s responsible German mission abroad. BVA also sends a fee notice. The mission then contacts the applicant about payment and collection. If BVA determines the applicant is not a German citizen, it issues a negative certificate instead. This certificate is called a Negativbescheinigung.