Obtaining documents to prove eligibility for a Germany passport
What documents do you need to prove eligibility for a German passport? Proving eligibility for those persecuted by the Nazi regime, and their descendants, requires presenting proof that the applicant was a German citizen during the eligible period (between the years 1933 and 1945). In cases where the application is submitted by the descendants of German citizens eligible for a passport, they would also have to prove that their familial connection. Below, Adv. Michael Decker, a partner at our firm specializing in German immigration and citizenship law, explains the process required in such cases.
A German passport, currently granted to most descendants of former German citizens, who have left the country between 1933 and 1945 due to persecution by the Nazis, automatically makes its holder a citizen of the European Union. Citizens of the European Union enjoy the option to live and work in Europe indefinitely, to purchase real estate throughout European Union countries with special tax benefits, study in European Union academic institutions for a subsidized price or even for free, and to visit the United States without obtaining a visa in advance. In order to those eligible to obtain a German passport and enjoy the multiple benefits granted by this passport, they must go through a naturalization process.
The first and most crucial stage in this process is proving eligibility for a German passport. This is also where many people encounter difficulties. There exists an inherent difficulty in proving eligibility, since very often, the family relatives on whom the application is based have passed away, or no longer possess any document that might serve as proof for eligibility to receive a passport. Seeking the assistance of a lawyer specializing in immigration law, and regularly representing clients through the German citizenship application process, may allow you to successfully pass this stage, as well as all other stages of the process. Below we explain the required procedure to obtain a German citizenship, and the ways to prove eligibility for a German passport.
What is the process required for obtaining a citizenship?
The process begins by investigating the initial eligibility for citizenship with the authorized German authorities. Those living outside of Germany usually perform this process with the embassies in their place of residence. Accordingly, most Israelis apply for German citizenship at the German Embassy in Tel Aviv. The stage of investigating eligibility is critical, and a decision of eligibility for a citizenship in principle is required in order to move on with the process. If the process is “greenlit” after the initial investigation of eligibility, then a detailed application is started, including a requirement to provide many details to the German authorities, and to attach various documents to the application, indicating eligibility and a familial relationship. Some of the documents will have to undergo notarial translation into German.
After submitting the application, your file undergoes an initial review to make sure that it includes all required documents. In case the request has indeed been submitted as required, it is transferred for review by a dedicated committee in Germany, to make the final decision. The committee’s decision might take a long time, sometimes even up to 3 years. Following all the above stages, in case the application is approved, the applicant would be granted a certificate of citizenship, with which they may request a German passport.
How can one prove their initial eligibility for a citizenship?
As mentioned above, as part of the initial investigation stage, the applicants must fill out an eligibility questionnaire, and attach it with the proof they possess indicating that they, one of their parents, or one of their grandparents, were Jewish German citizens residents, who had left Germany or were persecuted by the Nazis between 1933 and 1945. There is a variety of documents which might serve as such proof, including old passports, confirmations of studies in certified German institutions, marriage certificates, or an Israeli immigration certificate. A birth certificate usually can’t serve as sufficient proof, since at that time many non-German citizens were born in Germany, including the citizens and residents of neighboring countries (such as Poland, Austria, etc.).
What can you do if you don’t have the required proof of eligibility for a passport?
In case you have no documents indicating eligibility for a citizenship, you could perform an archival search, with the purpose of locating the required proof. An archival search is an examination in which an official query is made to German archives and other authorized authorities in Germany, in attempt to locate documentation to serve as proof for this purpose. In many cases, these documents are kept in German archives. Our law firm, which specializes in the field of European passports, provides this service as part of handling the submission of German citizenship applications, and representation throughout the process.
How can you prove a familial relationship for the purpose of eligibility to receive a German citizenship?
Proving a familial relationship required the presentation of documents indicating an intergenerational relationship between the applicants and one of their ancestors. As part of this process, you will need to submit (among other things) marriage certificates, birth certificates, name change certificates (if relevant), as well as a number of other documents – if they are required by the German authorities. As noted above, some of the documents would have to undergo notarial translation into German, if their source language is neither English nor German. Proving the familiar relationship is a complementary stage of proving eligibility for a German citizenship and passport.
Proof of eligibility to receive a German passport – contact a lawyer specializing in German immigration and citizenship law
In this short guide, we have explained the required procedure to prove eligibility for a German passport. If you have any additional questions, or if you need any help with this issue, please contact us and we would be happy to provide you with comprehensive and professional assistance. Our law firm, located in Jerusalem and Tel Aviv, specializes in immigration law and the representation of clients through German citizenship applications for the descendants of victims of Nazi persecution. Click here to contact us and schedule a consultation meeting with a specialist lawyer from our law firm.
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