Nationality determinations
Performance specification
In cases where the possession of German citizenship is doubtful, an application for the determination of the existence or non-existence of German citizenship may be filed with the citizenship authority. The same applies if the legal status as a German within the meaning of Article 116 (1) of the Basic Law is in question. If there is a public interest, the determination can also be made ex officio.
The determination is binding in all matters for which the existence or non-existence of German citizenship is legally relevant.
If the existence of German citizenship is established upon application, the citizenship authority issues a citizenship certificate.
Upon application, the nationality authority issues a certificate of non-existence of German nationality (so-called "negative certificate").
In the event of a positive determination of legal status as a German within the meaning of Article 116 (1) of the Basic Law, an identity document onlegalstatus as a German (so-called "Rechtsstellungsausweis") is issued.
Requirements
A citizenship certificate, a negative certificate or a legal status certificate can only be issued if the existence/non-existence of German citizenship/legal status has been established in accordance with Article 116 (1) of the Basic Law. For this purpose, the nationality authority checks
- whether and by what means you have acquired German citizenship / legal status pursuant to Article 116 (1) of the Basic Law,
- whether and as a result of which you have lost your German citizenship/legal status under Article 116 (1) of the Basic Law.
In addition to the information on your person, information on the persons from whom you derive your nationality, if applicable, is also required. Please contact the authorities in advance by telephone, depending on the individual case.
Which documents are required?
In order to establish the existence of German citizenship, it is necessary, but also sufficient, if it can be proven with sufficient probability by means of documents, extracts from the population registers or other written evidence that you have acquired German citizenship and have not lost it again.
As proof of identity, an official identity document with a photo is always required, as proof of residence a current registration certificate from the municipality of residence stating the nationality. The following documents may also be useful:
- Documents on parentage and civil status:
Birth or parentage certificates, marriage or marriage certificates, transcripts / extracts from the family register - Documents on the acquisition of German citizenship:
Naturalisation certificates, award certificates, admission certificates, certificates / documents on the acquisition of German citizenship by declaration or option, appointment certificates in the case of civil servants, declaratory notices on the acquisition of citizenship through service in the former German armed forces and other associations. - Documents on membership of the group of persons to whom collective naturalisation applied:
Expellees' identity cards, late repatriates' certificates (according to § 15 paras. 1 and 2 BVFG), Volkslisten identity cards, Volkstumsbescheinigungen or other documents on German nationality, proof of (former) right of domicile, citizenship or residence in the areas concerned, certificates on renunciation of the right of renunciation - Documents on the acquisition of the legal status as a German without German citizenship:
ID cards for displaced persons, late resettlers' certificates (according to § 15 paras. 1 and 2 BVFG), (old) refugee ID cards, registration certificates, registration confirmations or registration certificates. - Documents on the possession of German citizenship or the legal status as a German:
Proof of citizenship, certificate of origin, documents/identifications on the legal status as a German, passports, identity cards and other identification documents (also old ones), excerpts from (former) family registers, citizens' lists or citizens' directories, documents on military service performed or activity as a civil servant, registration confirmations, registration certificates, documents on the authorisation to retain German citizenship.
Please consult the authority in advance by telephone on a case-by-case basis.
- Documents on parentage and civil status:
What are the fees?
The fee for establishing the existence or non-existence of German citizenship on application is 51.00 euros, the framework fee for issuing another certificate is at least 5 euros, at most 51 euros (section 38, paragraph 2, sentence 1, nos. 4 and 5 of the Nationality Act (StAG)).
Legal basis
Who do I need to contact?
The district administration is responsible for determining the existence or non-existence of German citizenship and the legal status as a German within the meaning of Article 116 (1) of the Basic Law as well as for issuing the corresponding certificates for persons residing in the district of Waldeck-Frankenberg.
For naturalisations -> see under "Naturalisations".
In all other respects, the nationality authority is the Regional Council Kassel (acquisition by birth, retention permit, renunciation, dismissal).