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Germany: document checklist
Every document you need for a Germany citizenship-by-descent case — who issues it, how to request it, and roughly what it costs and takes.
Ancestor's German citizenship/expulsion records
- German federal or state archives (Bundesarchiv or Landesarchiv)
- Written request to the relevant archive
- Typically free to modest fee
- 8–20 weeks
Full genealogical chain
- Local vital records offices per country
- Standard certified vital records request
- Varies
- 2–12 weeks
Want this tailored to your exact case?
The Personalized DIY Guide turns this generic checklist into a case-specific plan — with pre-written request letters and per-document translation guidance.