German Citizenship now possible by Descent

I do know someone who has dual UK/US citizenship (British but lived and worked in US for 40 years).
However, I don't know how he got round what I believe is the US requirement to give up your alternative. citizenship.

It's not about giving something up . It's about the fact that, under certain conditions, one can now apply for German citizenship without giving up one's current one. Even if you haven't ever lived in Germany.

Or maybe I misunderstood you?

I think I got the wrong end of the stick - apologies.

Wow - thanks for the link! I enjoy Feli’s content, but hadn’t seen this one.

I have applied for Danish citizenship by descent but have so far been turned down, despite LOTS of Danish ancestry. I have less of a claim to German descent (one German/Danish grandparent) but think I will give it a shot. What do I have to lose?

Fingers crossed

I have German citizenship, as do all three of my sons. My mother was born in the Black Forest and I received my citizenship through her, although I’ve never lived there. A few years ago when I initially looked into getting citizenship, I visited the German Consulate in NYC to see what the possibility might be. Showing them documents, such as my original birth certificate (which doesn’t include a father’s name) and my mother’s German passport and U.S. naturalization papers, allowed them to determine that I was considered a German national at birth because

A. My mother was unmarried and
B. She naturalized many years after my birth.

Subsequently, my children were able to receive their citizenship (and passports). We are all very appreciative of the opportunities we now have to live and work outside of the U.S.

@redheadlibrarian

Thanks for sharing. Sounds great.

The United States does not require you to renounce US citizenship if you acquire a second citizenship.

I know plenty of dual citizens (including plenty of people on this Forum!).

We watched that video a few nights ago. Trying to figure out when my great-grandmother naturalized. I know when she came over just trying to figure that second piece out.

On a side note, we were able to visit her home town, find the location where my great-great grandfather had a sawmill (It is now a swimming pool), and the road is still named after the family. So that was cool.

A friend of mine, born and raised in the US whose mother was a German Holocaust survivor was able to get a German passport even though she still lives in the US.

Many countries do this although none where my ancestors came from. That country no longer exists.

I just watched it and even though both sides of my dad's family came from Germany, my great-great-great grandfather on the paternal side came over in 1815 with his 5 sons (including my great-grandfather), and my great-grandfather on his maternal side came over in 1879, which puts him in the ranks of those who lost their citizenship under the current law. So I'm fairly sure I'm ineligible.

And sadly my mom's family came over in the 1600's from the Netherlands and Belgium, and I have a strong feeling that this won't work for me. :-)

But thanks for the info, Mignon! Very good info to know!