Confused: Renounce German citizenship after naturalisation

[Gomjaba]

For days I am trying to figure out what is or isn't necessary. According to the German law, prior 2007 you would have automatically lost your German citizenship as soon as you acquire a foreign citizenship.

Now since 2007 it seems it doesn't apply to countries part of the EEA .. which UK is (at the moment anyway).

Law also says you need to renounce your German citizenship in writing, which requires a certified copy of both German and foreign passport.

Then it says it doesn't apply if you live for more than ten years abroad.

1. Since you have to send your German passport when applying for a British, how can you get a certified copy (unless you read it on time before applying for a British passport).

2. I left Germany in 2001 .. now does the ten year rule apply at the time of leaving the country or gaining a new citizenship ship?

Does anyone have any experience with this?

[secret.simon]

Which citizenships do you have and when did you acquire them?

[Gomjaba]

Apologies, I acquired the British Citizenship now.

I got mainly confused by a post on a German government site stating that you automatically lose your German citizenship if you acquire another foreign one without requesting dual citizenship beforehand.

The 'Bundesverwaltungsamt' website then had an updated article stating that as of 2007 - if my second citizenship is from a member of the EEA - which the UK is (for now anyway) - then I technically have still my German.

I then found a document on the BVA website where you can renounce your German citizenship. Problem with that - they request a certified copy of both, German and English passport. But the German I sent in in order to apply for the British passport.

So I rang the BVA myself and a nice lady said that I am not the first one stating that so she is fine if I send a copy of my British Citizenship certificate. I also offered to send an original, cancelled German passport as additional proof and I could even send an original birthcertificate as proof that I am German - I got like 6 copies of those - no idea why ...

Thankfully my local post office certifies copies for 9 Pounds so that's easily done ....

So to make a long story short - yes I am still German (even though I am not sure how I would apply for a new passport as I don't have one anymore) - and British - and I will send my papers through Saturday to renounce my German one.

Oh and funny - they say they don't send the certificate of renunciation (is that even a word) to me but to 'the' embassy .. Which ever that will be ...

[ALKB]

Apologies, I acquired the British Citizenship now.

I got mainly confused by a post on a German government site stating that you automatically lose your German citizenship if you acquire another foreign one without requesting dual citizenship beforehand.

The 'Bundesverwaltungsamt' website then had an updated article stating that as of 2007 - if my second citizenship is from a member of the EEA - which the UK is (for now anyway) - then I technically have still my German.

I then found a document on the BVA website where you can renounce your German citizenship. Problem with that - they request a certified copy of both, German and English passport. But the German I sent in in order to apply for the British passport.

So I rang the BVA myself and a nice lady said that I am not the first one stating that so she is fine if I send a copy of my British Citizenship certificate. I also offered to send an original, cancelled German passport as additional proof and I could even send an original birthcertificate as proof that I am German - I got like 6 copies of those - no idea why ...

Thankfully my local post office certifies copies for 9 Pounds so that's easily done ....

So to make a long story short - yes I am still German (even though I am not sure how I would apply for a new passport as I don't have one anymore) - and British - and I will send my papers through Saturday to renounce my German one.

Oh and funny - they say they don't send the certificate of renunciation (is that even a word) to me but to 'the' embassy .. Which ever that will be ...

Since 2007 German nationals can acquire one or more EEA nationalities without losing their German nationality.

Why do you want to renounce? It's not required.

[Gomjaba]

I know it isn't technically. Just got my reasons