Declaration of Citizenship

Limited Time Window

Claim German Citizenship Through Your Mother

If your mother or grandmother was German and you never received German citizenship, you may now be eligible to claim it — but only until August 19, 2031.

A 2021 reform corrected historic gender-based discrimination in German nationality law:

Before May 23, 1949

German women automatically lost their citizenship when they married a foreign man, under § 17(6) of the 1913 RuStAG.
Remedy
You may now file a Declaration of Citizenship under § 5 StAG. This applies not only to the women affected but also to their children and grandchildren.

May 23, 1949 to March 31, 1953

After the Basic Law came into effect, German citizenship could no longer be revoked if it would result in statelessness.
In practice
Because women did not automatically gain U.S. citizenship under the U.S. Cable Act of 1922, many German women who married Americans during this time likely remained German.
Result
Their children may already be German by descent if their mother was still a German citizen by the time of their birth. . Applicants can apply for a certificate of nationality.

Until January 1, 1975

German women were barred from passing on citizenship to children born in a legal marriage with a foreign father.
Remedy
These children — and even their children — can now reclaim citizenship through a Declaration under § 5 StAG if the mothers/grandmothers were still a German citizen by the time of the birth.

Example: The German Wife of a U.S. Soldier

A German woman met and married an American soldier stationed in Germany after WWII. They had children before January 1, 1975, but the mother could not pass on her German citizenship — even if she had not naturalized as a U.S. citizen.

Her children — now adults — were excluded from German nationality through no fault of their own.

With the 2021 reform, these children may now file a Declaration of Citizenship and have their legal status rightfully restored.

What You Need to Know

Yes, you have time. But collecting old records — like marriage and birth certificates — can take months. Starting early means less pressure, better preparation, and fewer delays.

How We Help at Stenner Law

At Stenner Law, we focus exclusively on helping Americans of German descent reclaim citizenship denied under discriminatory laws. We guide you through every step:

Eligibility Assessment

We analyze your family history and match it with the new laws.

Document Support

We help you identify and obtain hard-to-find records in the U.S. and Germany.

Direct Communication

We coordinate with German authorities to submit your Declaration of Citizenship.

Every case begins with a paid consultation. We will assess your case to see whether or not you have the right facts and documents for a successful application.

Begin your Declaration of Citizenship today.

Contact Stenner Law for a consultation.

Get In Touch

We're Here To Help

EMAIL

office@stennerlaw.com

PHONE NUMBER

+ 1 (215) 770-9488

ADDRESS

1700 Market Street, Suite 1005
Philadelphia, PA 19103
USA