Eligibility Quiz
Documents Required
The Federal Office of Administration (BVA) requires proof of persecution and the line of descent. Gather the following:
Identity and Descent Documents
- Birth certificates (full, unabridged versions) for all persons in the line of descent from you back to the ancestor whose citizenship was affected
- Marriage certificates (full, unabridged versions) for all persons in the line of descent
- Divorce decrees or death certificates (if applicable, to establish complete family history)
Proof of Former German Citizenship
- Old German passports or identity cards
- Naturalization certificates or registration certificates
- Any other official documents proving German citizenship of your ancestor
Evidence of Persecution and Deprivation
- Deportation lists or emigration records
- Letters or correspondence from the Nazi period
- Reparation files or compensation records
- Entries in victim databases (Yad Vashem, Arolsen Archives, or similar)
- Published notices in the Reich Law Gazette (Reichsgesetzblatt)
- Affidavits if original documents have been destroyed
The BVA acknowledges that not all documents survive persecution. If originals are unavailable, proof of plausibility and affidavits are accepted, though complete documentation speeds processing.
Proof of Current Nationality
- Current passport or naturalization certificate
Certificate of Good Conduct
- From your country of residence (required in some cases, depending on individual circumstances)
Completed Application Form
- Form E (for adults) or Form AK (for minors under 16)
- Available in German and English from the BVA
- Must be fully completed and signed by all applicants (or by legal guardians for minors)
Document Format and Translation
- Provide one set of certified copies and one set of plain photocopies of each document
- All documents must be in German or accompanied by certified German translations
- Do not send original documents by mail; certified copies are accepted from notary publics, police, or German honorary consuls