Dual German/American Citizenship Question (Beibehaltungsgenehmigung)

[Steffi 0]

Hello all...it's been a while since I've been to Visa Journey. I have to admit it's been quite nice to have a long break from all the immigration-related discussions and worries! But it's time for me to get back in the game - citizenship time!

I'm specifically hoping to get advice from Germans that have gone through the German Beibehaltungsgenehmigung process to keep their German citizenship while acquiring the American citizenship. I received my green card (through marriage) in November 2005, which would now put me at the 3 years minus 3 months period of being able to apply for U.S. citizenship. I'm aware that I need to go through the Beibehaltungsgenehmigung before getting into the N-400 application stuff. The instructions for the Beibehaltungsgenehmigung seem to be quite straight forward, but I would like to hear from people that have actually gone through the process. How much documentation did you submit? What did you state as your reasons for acquiring the American citizenship? And what reasons to keep the German citizenship? Any and all information would be appreciated!

I'm feeling quite confident due to my strong ties back to my family in Germany, as well as a bank account, etc that I have sufficient proof that I want to remain a German. I have a few things to list for reasons why it's important for me to gain American citizenship, but I was hoping to find out what other Germans that received the Beibehaltungsgenehmigung put as their reasons for needing both so I can make sure my argument is strong enough to also receive it. If people don't feel comfortable discussing this in a public forum please feel free to PM me! Like I said, I'd really appreciate any and all help because I want to make sure that my arguments are as valid and strong as I hope and think they are!

[Steffi_H. 0]

Hey Steffi, guck doch mal bei uns im deutschen Forum rein (german people rührt euch), ich weiß, dass da grad jemand das alles macht (bzw. grad abgeschickt hat). Kann dir leider nicht helfen, hab das erst in 2 jahren vor mir!

[Inge in MD 0]

Hallo Steffi,

versuchs mal hier: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/zweipaesse/

Bin auch gerade dabei meine BBG zu beantragen, wirklich sehr hilfreich. Im allgemeinen musst Du nachweisen, warum Du benachteiligt bist, wenn Du die US Staatsbuergerschaft nicht annimmst. Kann auch der berufliche Nachteil Deines Mannes sein z. B. security clearance etc. Die fuer Dich zustaendige deutsche Auslandsvertretung kann Dir auch weiterhelfen.

Viel Glueck

Inge

[refusa 0]

Ich hab's vom Anwalt machen lassen, das war mir sicherer und ging schnell. http://www.beibehaltung.com/

Viel Erfolg!

[Brother Hesekiel 2,235]

I am one of the "forces" at ZweiPaesse, help other Germans for several years now in composing and writing BBG applications. I probably have created 20+ BBG applications from scratch for people who assumed they had no chance in hell and and proof-read about twice as many. Come to ZweiPaesse and we'll help you out. Note that I'm not "Just Bob" over there, but you'll find out who I am very quickly.

[Lizard 0]

Ich hab's vom Anwalt machen lassen, das war mir sicherer und ging schnell. http://www.beibehaltung.com/

Viel Erfolg!

Hi Refusa, koenntest Du bitte ungefaehr angeben, wie hoch die Kosten sind, wenn die Anwaltskanzlei den Antrag fuer Jemanden einreicht? Danke im Voraus.