Visa to Germany

I suggest just giving them a call. Usually I've found the consulate people friendly, professional and helpful.

US citizens do not require a visa to visit Germany.

Uma, Are you planning to live in Germany for some reason? You may enter the country for up to 90 days without a visa and if you have a need for the visa (student, long term living) you need to have documentation of why you will be there long term. There is a consulate in San Fran on Jackson street. http://www.germany.info/relaunch/info/missions/consulates/sanfrancisco/sanfrancisco.html
Phone:(415) 775 - 1061
The info you need should be there. Their site says except in rare cases you need to apply in person.

Thanks for the info

Michael, I am from India and I need a Visa

Linda, I was browsing the site but it is not clearing stating that we can send the documents by mail. Just wanted to check in case someone has done it in the past.

don't know about the SanFran consulate, but I have never been able to get the LA consulates (of any European country) issue me a Schengen visa without a personal appearance (I am a citizen of India, but US Perm Resident). I live in San Diego and its a pain to have to go up to LA on a weekday for what is usually a 5minute interview. This has been true whether I go on vacation or on business.

This time, however, the Austrian consulate was nice enough to say that my wife didn't have to come in person as long as I had her signatures notarized on the application form. That way, only 1 of us had to take half a day off from work.

One more piece of advise, sometimes the consulates will issue a visa valid from date of arrival of flight to date of departure of flight. This can cause hassles if you either change your flights later (or your return flight gets canceled). I would recommend getting a few days margin on either side.