Citizenship; application to renounce German citizenship

It sometimes happens that multiple nationals have to or wish to give up their German citizenship, e.g. because they want to join the army or the civil service of another country (whose citizenship they also hold) or take up a political office there. In this case, it is possible to renounce German citizenship.

A certificate of renunciation is issued as proof of renunciation of German citizenship.

Please give priority to using the online service via the button above for the "Declaration of renunciation of German citizenship".

• Proven possession of a foreign nationality
• No grounds for refusal

In the case of applicants who are minors or adults under guardianship, renunciation of German citizenship is only possible with the approval of the German family court (at the local court). You must apply for and complete the corresponding procedure at the court yourself.

Persons subject to compulsory military service in accordance with § 1 WPflG may only waive this requirement if the military replacement authorities (Bundeswehr Career Center) have no objections. This applies regardless of the fact that compulsory military service has been suspended since 01.07.2011. The clearance certificate is therefore currently issued on a regular basis.

The waiver procedure is free of charge.

• § Section 26 of the Citizenship Act (StAG)
• Ordinance on the competence of the nationality authorities
• General administrative regulation on documents in citizenship matters (StAUrkVwV)
• § Section 1 of the Conscription Act (WPflG)

The application for waiver must be submitted in writing to the competent district administrative authority (district administration office/district city).

The application can already be submitted to many authorities online or alternatively in paper form.

The waiver certificate is issued after the competent authority has checked the requirements and reasons for refusal.

The renunciation of German citizenship becomes effective on the day the certificate of renunciation is issued, which is usually issued by the competent authority. Please note that you will be treated as a foreigner by German authorities from this date. Your German passport and/or identity card will be confiscated upon delivery.

If you are an active civil servant, judge, soldier or otherwise employed under public law, you can only renounce your German citizenship if you have been permanently resident abroad for at least 10 years.

The renunciation of German citizenship may also have an effect on an existing public employment relationship (civil servant relationship) or on current or future pension payments (e.g. retirement/pension payments, orphan's or widow's benefits).

Before submitting your application, please ask your employer or your benefits office whether and to what extent you will suffer any (financial) disadvantages as a result of giving up your German citizenship.

• Naturalization; application for the granting of German citizenship to foreigners entitled to naturalization (naturalization claim)
• Citizenship; application for determination of German citizenship
• Naturalization; application for the granting of German citizenship to foreigners without a claim to naturalization (discretionary naturalization)