Applying for a Staatsangehörigkeitsausweis (certificate of nationality)

You are German and need proof of your German citizenship, for example for appointment as a civil servant (Verbeamtung) or for an adoption. Or you have German parents or ancestors and want to know whether you yourself are also German. In that case you can apply for a Staatsangehörigkeitsausweis (certificate of nationality). The Staatsangehörigkeitsausweis is not proof of identity. It cannot therefore be used for travel or as a substitute identity document. Process 1. Submit an application for the issuance of a Staatsangehörigkeitsausweis. • Use the contact form of the department (Referat) in Division S of the LEA responsible for you (see the "Further information" section). Select the subject "Antrag auf Feststellung des Bestehens oder Nichtbestehens der deutschen Staatsangehörigkeit" (application to establish whether German citizenship exists or does not exist). 2. The Landesamt für Einwanderung (LEA, State Office for Immigration) checks whether you have acquired German citizenship. It also checks whether you might have lost German citizenship again, for example through acquiring another citizenship, marriage, or adoption. 3. If you hold German citizenship, you will be issued a Staatsangehörigkeitsausweis as proof.