Does Germany give dual citizenship to kids born to US military personnel in Germany?

Question

Specifically, I know of a kid born in 1986 in Germany, presumably on a US base, while his father was in the US Army. And I know that Germany has strict citizenship requirements so I've always wondered if the kid would be a dual citizen or have no status. Sorry if it's a dumb and redundant question!

Answer 1

A child born in 1986 in Germany only acquired the citizenship of his parents. For more details, look here:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/German_nationality_law


and here
http://www.german-embassy.org.uk/reform_of_germany_s_citizenshi.html
which says in part: under a new law passed in 1999, "children who are born in Germany to foreign nationals will receive German citizenship when one of the respective child's parents has resided lawfully in Germany for at least eight years and holds entitlement to residence or has had an unlimited residence permit for at least three years. Under the new law, such children acquire German citizenship at birth. In most cases, they will also acquire their parents' citizenship under the principle of descent (depending upon the other country's laws). "

So even today a child born on a US base in Germany will not acquire German citizenship, since its parents will not be German residents for long enough, and will not have normal residence permits.

By the way, a US base is NOT considered US soil for citizenship purposes. The only reason that children born on US bases overseas acquire US citizenship at birth is that one or both parents are US citizens.

Answer 2

Dual Citizenship Germany Usa

Answer 3

Dual Citizenship Usa Germany

Answer 4

RE:
Does Germany give dual citizenship to kids born to US military personnel in Germany?
Specifically, I know of a kid born in 1986 in Germany, presumably on a US base, while his father was in the US Army. And I know that Germany has strict citizenship requirements so I've always wondered if the kid would be a dual citizen or have no status. Sorry if it's a dumb and redundant...

Answer 5

Not enough information to accurately answer but I will give a shot. If both parents are American and the baby was born on an American base then only US citizenship. One parent German and one American then the possibility exists for dual citizenship. My youngest was born in Germany and has only US Birth Certificate ~ mother and father are both Americans.

Answer 6

If one parent is a German national the child may be declared as a German citizen if the child remains a permanent resident in Germany. However, I do not believe that either Germany or the USA recognizes duel citizenship status. After 18 you have to declare yourself as one or the other. If the child's parents are both U.S. citizens, their child is a U.S. citizen, even if the child is not born in a military hospital. I believe this is true for civilian as well has military personnel in a foreign country.

Answer 7

Here's the infor you wanted:

The status of persons with dual citizenship sometimes raises questions among persons located in Germany, whether as members of the military or civilians. Both the United States and Germany recognize the concept of multiple nationality.

A child born to an American parent and a German parent acquires both American and German citizenship at birth, regardless of place of birth. Neither country requires a person born under these circumstances to choose between American and German citizenship. They may keep both for life.

A child born in Germany to two American parents may also become a dual national at birth. But under German law, such a person has to choose between American and German citizenship before turning 23.

While Germany recognizes the concept of dual nationality, for most purposes it considers a dual national in Germany a German citizen only. Thus, the ability of the U.S. Embassy and consulates to provide assistance to an American-German dual national in Germany may be limited. The reverse is true in the U.S., where such a person is considered only American for most purposes.

Both countries have certain laws pertaining to dual nationals. American-German dual nationals may owe taxes in both countries. They must file an annual U.S. income tax return, regardless of whether or not they owe taxes to the U.S. or pay taxes elsewhere. And they must have a valid U.S. passport in order to enter the United States.

An American-German male must register with the U.S. Selective Service System within three months of his eighteenth birthday, and is not necessarily exempt from German military service. None of that, however, affects his dual citizenship.

Answer 8

Under German law, a person may not have more than one citizenship unless he/she was born with both.

A child born to an American parent and a German parent acquires both American and German citizenship at birth.
(in your case, if the mom is a German than the kid can be a dual-citizen).

Those born in Germany to non-German parents before February 2, 1990, have no claim to German Citizenship.
(In your case, the kid was born before 1990 and if both parents are not Germans then no dual-citizenship)

Answer 9

I dont think so. My boyfriend was born on a US Army base in Germany in 1985 and he does not have dual citizenship.

Answer 10

The kid would be American citizen but im not sure on German citizen considering Germany is strict about citizenship and a Canadian Woman I chat with who's Husband was German born told me that although Canada would have let him keep his German citizenship upon becoming Canadian the German Govt would not let him keep German citizenship if he became a Canadian and well he wanted to become a Canadian so he renounced his German citizenship to be able to become a Canadian.