Determination procedure for German citizenship

Nationality card

What is a citizenship certificate?
A citizenship certificate is required for certain legal transactions or relationships (e.g. adoption, appointment as a civil servant, marriage, naturalization of a foreign spouse). We will also issue it at your request if you are legally a German citizen but have not yet claimed this because you already hold a foreign passport, e.g. as a dual national.

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What is checked when a citizenship card is issued?
As a rule, the citizenship authority checks whether the applicant or their ancestors have always been treated as German, at least since 1938. If, for example, they were affected by changes in national territories that were brought about by both world wars, further checks may be necessary.

For German nationals living abroad, the respective German diplomatic mission abroad accepts the application and then forwards it to the Federal Office of Administration in Cologne, which is responsible for processing it.

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Necessary documents:
To prove citizenship, information and documents on the personal details and places of residence of the applicant and their ancestors are required.
In any case, we require a valid identity card/passport from the applicant, a certified copy of the birth register with all marginal notes of the latest date and, in the case of marital birth, the parents' marriage certificate.

Further information and application forms can be obtained by telephone on 0365/838-1910 or 1913, or by appointment in person from the Citizenship Office at STADTSERVICE H35.

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Fees:
In accordance with § 38 of the Citizenship Act (StAG): Issue of citizenship card: € 25.00

Negative certificate

You live abroad and need official proof that you do not have German citizenship, e.g. because you have lived in Germany for a long time:

• have lived in Germany for a long time and only receive a new passport after your return from Kazakhstan if you can prove that you have not acquired German citizenship
• as a child of German origin living in Australia, you apply for political office.
• were born in Cologne to Chinese parents and must prove in China that you did not acquire German citizenship by birth.
• would like to have your pension contributions paid in Germany refunded.

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When do you need a negative certificate?

In principle, you only need a negative certificate if you are asked by your home country or a German authority to prove that you do not have German citizenship. This can always happen if you were born in Germany, are descended from German ancestors or have lived in Germany for a very long time.

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Necessary documents:
Information and application forms can be obtained by calling 0365/838-1910 or by making an appointment with the Citizenship Office in STADTSERVICE H35.

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Fees:
In accordance with § 30 of the Citizenship Act (StAG): Issue of negative certificate: € 18.00