By Christine Stenner, Attorney (Germany) at Stenner Law| Foreign Legal Consultant (PA) | October 31, 2025

Determining eligibility to reclaim German citizenship through your maternal line can be challenging. German nationality laws have changed several times, and until 1975, citizenship could generally only be passed down through the father. If the father had a different citizenship, the child usually did not inherit German citizenship from the mother. This rule affected many families, especially since after World War II, many German women married Americans who were stationed in Germany.

Today, Section 5 of the German Citizenship Act (Staatsangehörigkeitsgesetz – StAG) opens an opportunity for these children to declare themselves German. This provision allows individuals who were previously excluded due to outdated gender-based laws to reclaim the citizenship that would have been theirs by birth under today’s standards.

At Stenner Law, we make this complex process simple. By answering just five questions, you can find out whether you might qualify to reclaim German citizenship through your maternal line. Our quick tool helps you understand your potential eligibility before you start gathering documents or submitting an application.

Disclaimer: The information provided here is for general informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. It is not exhaustive, as there are several other ways to apply for German citizenship. Each case is unique, and eligibility can only be confirmed after a full legal review. For personalized guidance, please contact Stenner Law for a consultation.

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