Declaring renunciation of German citizenship in the event of habitual residence abroad

You or your authorized representative can declare your renunciation of German citizenship in writing at the competent German diplomatic mission abroad, directly in writing or online at the Federal Office of Administration (BVA).

Written declaration:

• You can download the form from the BVA website.
• If you live in Germany, please contact your local city or district administration. They will provide you with the appropriate declaration forms.
• On request, the local diplomatic mission abroad will help you fill out the form.
• Complete the form in full and sign it.
• Submit the signed declaration by post or in person together with the required supporting documents to your local German diplomatic mission abroad.
• However, it is not compulsory to contact the diplomatic mission abroad. You can also send the declaration directly to the BVA by post.
• The BVA will check your declaration and inform you if further documents and information are required to process the declaration.

Online declaration:

• Go to the website of the federal portal and fill in the form for renouncing German citizenship electronically. Note: You will need your ID card with PIN number for the online function.
• Attach the other required documents as a file.
• Send off your declaration.
• The BVA will check your declaration and request any necessary documents as certified copies.

Completion of the procedure (in writing and online):

• If your waiver declaration is approved, the BVA will send your waiver certificate to your competent German diplomatic mission abroad. They will inform you about the further procedure for handing over the certificate.
• You will lose your German citizenship when the renunciation certificate is handed over. Your German identity documents will then become invalid. They will be confiscated by the diplomatic mission abroad.
• If your declaration of renunciation is not granted, you will receive a notice of refusal.

Declarations of renunciation of German citizenship can be submitted by

• Germans with habitual residence abroad who hold several nationalities

Further requirements:

• for minors:
  • Approval of the German family court (at the local court)
  • Consent of the minor (from the age of 16 and up to the age of 18) to the declaration of renunciation

Note:

If you are liable for military service in Germany, you need the consent of the Federal Office of Bundeswehr Personnel Management. This will be obtained from the Federal Office of Administration (BVA).

For the declaration of renunciation you must submit

• possible proof of German citizenship:
  • German identity card
  • German passport
  • (last) certificate of citizenship.
• Possible proof of possession of the other nationality and permanent residence:
  • foreign identity card
  • foreign passport
  • (foreign) certificate of citizenship
  • foreign registration confirmation
• for minors:
  • Authorization from the German family court
  • Consent of the minor (from the age of 16 and up to the age of 18) to the declaration of renunciation

Notes:

Unless otherwise stated, please enclose the documents and evidence as officially or notarized copies. For the online declaration, you first need simple electronic copies. The Federal Office of Administration (BVA) will only request certified copies of any necessary documents and evidence in the online procedure after the declaration has been submitted.

Free of charge.

Please bear in mind that you may incur additional costs for the procurement of documents, translations and notarizations.

There is no deadline.

• § Section 26 of the Citizenship Act (StAG)
• § Section 5 Act on the Establishment of the Federal Office of Administration

• Contradiction

There are no indications or special features.

• Further information on renouncing German citizenship on the website of the Federal Office of Administration (BVA)
• Information sheet on the declaration of renunciation of German citizenship on the website of the Federal Office of Administration (BVA)
• Information on data protection on the website of the Federal Office of Administration (BVA)
• Information on legalizations at German diplomatic missions abroad on the website of the Federal Foreign Office (AA)

27.03.2025