How to get a german passport while in the US??

Question

Hey everyone!!
I have a close friend (22 y.o.) who is living in Florida. He has been there since about 13 years now. His mom is germany, dad is american. He was born in germany. He has never had a german Birth certificate or german passport. Now he has decided to come to germany for good and of course , work there as well. German government requires him to have some kind of proof that he is also german because of his mom.
How can he apply for a german passport in Florida?? Is there a german embassy or something like that? What does he have to do to be able to work and live in germany?

Thanks for your answers in advance

Julia

Answer 1

If your friend's mother is a german citizen your friend is also german according to the German law no matter where he was born (important, that changes for children born after 1999).

To prove that he is german, he needs his birth certificate (the country that issued the certificate is not importat but the fact that his mother's name is there :o) ) and a document that identifies his mother as a german citizen (as for example his mother's german Passport). With those documents it should be no problem for him in being recognized as German citizen. However as the german law normally do not acept two citizenships it can be that your friend will have to give up his american one (excepcions apply also). The best way: take contact with the german consulate and they will tell you about the steps your friend should take.

Something very important to take in consideration: if his mother has taken other citizenship without asking the german authorities for allowance, she has already lost her german citizenship and in this case your friend can not ask for the german citizenship anymore, well at least not as son to a German citizen.

Answer 2

The birth certificate must be secured in the Civil Registry where he was born in Germany by a friend or relative through an authorization. Then present this birth certificate in the German Embassy in the US to apply for a passport.

Answer 3

Was he born at an army base in Germany?? If he was born in Germany and not at an army base, the hospital or town, or something in Germany should have some sort of record of his birth. He should contact the German embassy, there should be one in Florida (look in Miami), if not then contact their embassy in Washington, DC.

Answer 4

There is a German consulate general in Miami. They will be able to handle this. Google it to get the address.