German Certificate of Citizenship - Processing Times

[new2waix]

German Certificate of Citizenship - Processing Times

I am an Australian citizen currently living and working in London on a UK Working Holiday Visa (WHV).

In January 2006 I applied for German Citizenship via my grandfather - my grandfather was born and lived in Germany, who left due to WWII.

Approximately 4 months (May 2006) later the German Government said that my father held a German passport and I could apply via my father (and they required some further paperwork). We supplied this additional paperwork in late December and resubmitted my application for German Citizenship through my father - my father was born outside of Germany and reneged his German passport after I was born.

Based on the information provided, what is the likelihood of me attaining German Citizenship?

Does anyone know the current processing times for such an application?

What happens once your application is approved? When do you receive official paperwork to confirm you can work in the EU and an EU citizen?

If anyone can provide some experiences with such an application it will be greatly appreciated. I am a little worried as time is ticking on my WHV.

Thanks!

[Directive/2004/38/EC]

I think you can apply for confirmation of your German citizenship visa the London embassy. Are you already in touch with them and have already applied? What does the embassy say about approximate processing times?

Once you have that confirmation you can apply for and quickly get a passport. With the confirmation of citizenship you are German and EU, even if you do not have a passport.

[new2waix]

My application was submitted through the German Embassy in Australia. They then send all applications to Koeln (?), Germany (Bundesrepublik).

I have been in contact with the Australian Embassy, however they cannot give any estimates. All they have told me is it can take a "couple of months" but my application has been marked "urgent". Ideally I would love to know an estimate - ie 6 weeks.

I was hoping to hear from people who have been the similar process to get an idea of time.

I guess I just have to be patient and wait...

[Christophe]

My application was submitted through the German Embassy in Australia. They then send all applications to Koeln (?), Germany (Bundesrepublik).

Yes, Koeln (or Köln) - more commonly known by its French name, Cologne, in English.

[new2waix]

Uh, obviously Cologne!

Does anyone know the efficiency of the German Immigrations records? Would they have records of the following:

-- If my dad applied for (and attained) a German Passport from South Africa in 1970.
-- If my dad gave up his German Passport in Australia in 1984.

The German Embassy want me to provide further documents (not related to the above). However, surely with the above actions, this would clearly justify my case for German Citizenship - ie I was born in 1981 to a German citizen.

How long would his passport of been valid from 1970?
If he didn't renew it, does he remain a German citizen?

Any advice?

[Directive/2004/38/EC]

Check the German embassy web sites in the US, UK, Canada and Australia. Each may have slightly different information.

Also check German government web sites for information about citizenship.

When does your UK WHV visa expire in any case?

[JAJ]

Uh, obviously Cologne!

Does anyone know the efficiency of the German Immigrations records? Would they have records of the following:

-- If my dad applied for (and attained) a German Passport from South Africa in 1970.
-- If my dad gave up his German Passport in Australia in 1984.

The German Embassy want me to provide further documents (not related to the above). However, surely with the above actions, this would clearly justify my case for German Citizenship - ie I was born in 1981 to a German citizen.

How long would his passport of been valid from 1970?
If he didn't renew it, does he remain a German citizen?

Any advice?

What do you mean by "gave up his German passport"? Do you mean he became a naturalised Australian citizen at that point?

[new2waix]

What do you mean by "gave up his German passport"? Do you mean he became a naturalised Australian citizen at that point?

Correct, he gained Australian Citizenship and "gave up" his German Citizenship. However I am not sure how it was given up? He gave it up after I was born - which would be important to my application.

My WHV expires in next year, however the working component is close to expiry.

[Directive/2004/38/EC]

You might find the following interesting for information about German citizenship requirements. It may not cover all the old laws and their implications on your case

http://www.bmi.bund.de/cln_012/nn_14826 ... 6__en.html