Urkunde über den Erwerb der deutschen Staatsangehörigkeit durch Erklärung comes out to be Document over the acquisition of the German nationality by explanation. It makes sense except for the last word. Is there a more contextual translation of Erklärung than explanation?

Thanks,
Sixto
87 300D

declaration or proclamation

Rob

Cerificate that shows the award of German citizenship by proclamation --

http://de.wikipedia.org/wiki/Staatsb%C3%BCrgerschaft

About halfway down, it's a specific method.

There are other explanations, specifically: the child of an unwed German father and non-German mother. Born after 1 Jul 1993, it's automatic; before 1 Jul 1993 you've got to do stuff to gain citizenship "durch Erklarung"

See Erforderliche Unterlagen here: http://www.duesseldorf.de/buergerinfo/33/03/31eb04.shtml

Those documents might be necessary to prove the birth so someone could gain citizenship by official proclamation.

The Consulate really isn't helping with this stuff?

The OP is about the title of a document which the person I know believes satisfies the requirement of the earlier statement I requested to be translated. The document contains only the name and address of this person. No details of how this person qualified for German citizenship.

I'm not helping this person with translation. I'm trying to make sense of the situation for kicks. This is not the first time I hear that the German consulate insist on transacting business with German citizens in German even if said citizens don't speak German and have never been to Germany. Just an observation, not a criticism.

Thanks,
Sixto
87 300D

The documents are probably sent over to Germany for confirmation of citizenship, not processed locally. Not really surprising that they'd want them in the local official language.

The "urkunde" or certificate wouldn't have to give a reason. The "Erklarung" would basically equate to "other" as reason for citizenship, or "John Doe who lives at 123 Main St is a citizen because we said so".

The certificate may suffice for some citizenship rights or benefits but not others so the reasons may be pertinent to the Germans; so it's entirely possible they'll ask for additional information. For example in the US, the distinction between a naturalized US citizen and a native born citizen being elected president.

The situation revolves around obtaining a German passport for a child born in the US to a mother with a German passport and a business visa allowing her to be in the US. Canadian father.

Sixto
87 300D

I assume, they want to know how the mother became German citizen.

She should have some sort of document, aka birth certificate, or else.

It is part of being German, to speak, read and write German, it's expected, not only for the convenience of officials.

__________________

I'm surprised it's relevant. There must me ways of becoming a German citizen that doesn't qualify your children to inherit citizenship? I heard the children of a US citizen who hasn't lived one year continuously in the US cannot automatically pass citizenship to his/her children. I don't know if that holds for folks in the government and military.

Americans speaking English... now there's a can of worms.

Sixto
87 300D