Lawyer to help get German passport

My mother wants to get her German citizenship and wants a lawyer to help her through the process. It seems pretty straightforward to me as she has her birth certificate, her (German) father's birth certificate, a letter proving he was a German citizen at the time of her birth, her parents' marriage certificate, and I'm sure lots of other documentation. (She would be getting her Festellung der deutshen Staatsangehorigkeit -- confirmation of German citizenship, not applying cold or anything).

Can you recommend a lawyer to help her through the process? A lawyer who speaks English is nice but not necessary.

Dec 1, 2020

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RE:

Lawyer to help get German passport (Dec 1, 2020)

hi! I suggest that you go on the SF Consular General of Germany website and look for her as there are directions. Or call them, 415 775 10 61 on weekday mornings to ask for help. She really does not need to spend the money on a lawyer if you help her.

good luck!

Dec 2, 2020

RE:

Lawyer to help get German passport (Dec 1, 2020)

Just having been German at the time of birth might not be sufficient. Many things throughout your mother's life might have led to her officially losing her German citizenship. Before spending money on a lawyer, I would get an appointment at the German consulate in San Francisco and find out what her chances are. She might have to apply for Wiedereinbuergerung which is a lot harder and unless you live in Germany, likely won't be successful.

Dec 2, 2020

RE:

Lawyer to help get German passport (Dec 1, 2020)

Have you talked to the German consulate? I don't know the requirements for Germany but I do have experience with French citizenship. It's all pretty straightforward and a lawyer is only required if there is a problem/complication. I'm sure Germany is similar especially as you only need to prove your Mom's father is German.

Dec 2, 2020

RE:

Lawyer to help get German passport (Dec 1, 2020)

This doesn't directly answer your question, but I applied for my German citizenship with absolutely no need for a lawyer. The process is very well laid out, and all I needed to do was send in the paperwork. If she's feeling overwhelmed and it would work for your relationship, it's something you could take care of for her in a couple of afternoons.

Dec 2, 2020

RE:

Lawyer to help get German passport (Dec 1, 2020)

Hi - Your mom does not need a lawyer. After spending a lot of time researching this myself it turned out to be straightforward. I did this about about 15 years ago with similar documents (birth certificate - make sure it's certified and from the state department of vital statistics), notarized copies of father's documentation (his German passport at time of my birth; I also had his US naturalization certification that postdated my birth, parents' marriage certificate), my US passport, 2 passport photos that comply w EU regulations, and the filled out form was I think all that I needed. Your mother could apply for a German passport, which is what I did. (It was and is amazing to have an EU passport). The SF Consulate which is where I got this done was helpful clarifying what I needed and I remember talking on the phone to someone in the NY consulate who was also very helpful: Passport / Citizenship / all other matters: Tel.: 212-610-9700.

Then make an appointment online w the nearest German consulate and bring the documentation (they will charge you for copies so make an extra copy of each document ahead of time). One nice thing is that once your mom is able to establish her German citizenship, you may be able to use that to also get a German/EU passport for yourself as well.

More information on that here: https://www.auswaertiges-amt.de/en/einreiseundaufenthalt/staatsangehoer…