You lost your German citizenship?
Limited time window: Was your mother or grandmother German?
Your German Ancestors were Deprived of their German Citizenship by the Nazis?
Your German Ancestors were Deprived of their German Citizenship by the Nazis?
Between 1933 and 1945, the Nazi regime systematically persecuted Jews, political opponents, and minorities — often stripping them of their German citizenship.
Under Article 116 (2) of the German Basic Law (Grundgesetz), descendants of former German citizens who lost their nationality due to racial, political, or religious persecution are entitled to reclaim German citizenship. This is a constitutional right and applies primarily to those whose ancestors held German citizenship before being denaturalized under Nazi laws.
In contrast, § 15 StAG offers a broader path to restitution. It applies even when ancestors were not formal German citizens, but were excluded from acquiring citizenship due to persecution or discriminatory legal barriers under the Nazi regime.
Claims under § 15 StAG require more detailed documentation and individualized proof of the historical circumstances and legal exclusion.
You lost your German citizenship?
If you previously held German citizenship and lost it—often unknowingly by acquiring another nationality without prior approval—you may be eligible to apply for re-naturalization under § 13 StAG, even while living abroad. However, this is not an automatic or easy path. You must provide extensive documentation to prove that you would have been granted a Beibehaltungsgenehmigung (retention permit) at the time of loss—and that you still maintain strong ties to Germany. Each application is assessed individually and requires careful preparation.We support you in navigating this demanding legal process.
Legal Expert Solutions
How to Become My Client
At StennerLaw, the process of becoming a client begins with a mandatory, comprehensive consultation. This review serves as the foundation for determining whether your case is legally viable and evidentially sound, and it is the first and most important step toward formal representation. I personally conduct this evaluation and provide it as a dedicated legal service, separate from any ongoing representation.
Many of the citizenship matters I handle involve complex historical backgrounds. In particular, German citizenship cases often depend on documents that are decades old, written in old German script, or located in archives across Germany. As part of the consultation, I examine the records you provide, identify any gaps, and determine which additional documents will be needed to support your case. This may include birth or marriage certificates from German authorities, which I assist in locating and retrieving where necessary.
The purpose of this process is to ensure that any application is based on a solid and well-documented foundation. I work with individuals whose circumstances fall within the scope of my practice and who demonstrate a strong likelihood of success. If, after the initial consultation and assessment, I determine that your case meets these criteria, you may then decide whether to move forward independently or to retain me to handle the preparation and submission of your application.
If you’re ready to begin, the first step is to schedule a consultation.
Christine Stenner, LL.M
Legal Expert Solutions
Your Trusted Partner for German Citizenship Law in the US
With over 25 years of experience as a licensed German attorney, I provide cross-border legal counsel to individuals and families in the United States seeking to obtain or restore German citizenship. Besides my German law degree , I hold a Mater of Laws (LL.M.) from Temple University Beasley School of Law in Philadelphia. In the U.S., I am registered as a Foreign Legal Consultant in Pennsylvania, which authorizes me to practice German law in the U.S. and advise clients on citizenship matters governed by German legislation.
My practice is dedicated solely to German citizenship law, including complex cases involving loss and restoration of citizenship. With a deep knowledge of German administrative procedures and long-standing experience working with German authorities, I provide strategic, results-driven support to clients throughout every stage of the process.
I am a member of the Bar Association (Rechtsanwaltskammer) in Frankfurt a.M., Member of the German American Chamber of Commerce, Philadelphia and Vice President of Strategic Planning at the German Society of Pennsylvania.
*Admitted to the Bar in Frankfurt am Main since 1997, Christine Stenner is a board-certified Medical Law attorney (Fachanwältin für Medizinrecht) and was a board-certified Social Security attorney (Fachanwältin für Sozialrecht) from 2005 to 2016.
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office@stennerlaw.com
PHONE NUMBER
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ADDRESS
1700 Market Street, Suite 1005
Philadelphia, PA 19103
USA
Limited Time Window: Was Your Mother or Grandmother German?
You may be eligible for German citizenship — but only until August 2031.
Until 1953, German women lost their citizenship when they married a foreigner. Until 1975, they were barred from passing on German citizenship to their children.
If your mother or grandmother was German, and you were excluded due to these laws, you may now claim citizenship under § 5 StAG — a special provision correcting past gender-based discrimination in nationality law.