Any German Citizen that recently applied for US Citizenship?

[BebaJP80 1]

I know my husband would have to apply for the Beibehaltungsgenehmigung before applying for the US citizenship.

My questions are:

How long did it take to have a response from the German Consulate?

​Does the paperwork still go to Cologne?

Thanks in advance

[TL2016 208]

Correct me if I am wrong, but unless he wants to become a dual citizen (German/American) he does not have to apply for the Beibehaltungsgenehmigung. It's only needed if you want to keep your German citizenship while obtaining a second citizenship that is not German. And even if your husband does want to keep it, he will need very good reasons to be able to keep it. If he just wants to become a US citizen without maintaining his German one, he doesn't even have to apply for the Beibehaltungsgenehmigung as far as I know.

If he does want to have both, then I'm sorry I can't offer more information.

[L and T 9]

I applied for my BBG back in March, sent everything to the consulate in L.A., they forwarded it to Cologne. I got notification from the consulate that my BBG was approved after exactly 2 months. A week later I sent in my N400.

Edited August 4, 2016 by L and T

[TL2016 208]

I applied for my BBG back in March, sent everything to the consulate in L.A., they forwarded it to Cologne. I got notification from the consulate that my BBG was approved after exactly 2 months. A week later I sent in my N400.

Out of curiosity, what were your reasons / proof that you wanted or needed to keep your German citizenship? I've heard it's not easy to get it approved.

[BebaJP80 1]

My husband wants to keep his German citizenship since he has family ties back home (parents, sister), also bank account.

He wants to apply for the US citizenship since his job requires to have it (for some NAH grants, it is required to be US citizen).

[L and T 9]

Out of curiosity, what were your reasons / proof that you wanted or needed to keep your German citizenship? I've heard it's not easy to get it approved.

I don't think it's too difficult. The key is to shows reasonable remaining ties to Germany, as well as a couple of good reasons, why you need U.S. Citizenship.

As for my remaining ties to Germany I listed my family and friends, attached proof of my trips to Germany (usually once a year), showed financial ties (remaining bank accounts in Germany, public pensions insurance benefits from 15 years of working in Germany),and I also stated that I would like to keep the option of moving back to Germany at some point in the future, which would become more difficult if I lost my German citizenship.

My main reason for becoming a U.S. Citizen was to have more job opportunities, for that I included a couple of job ads for positions that are only open for U.S. Citizens. As I live in San Diego, this was pretty easy, due to all the defense contractors in the area, which require security clearances (impossible to get if you're not a citizen). This should also work if you are interested in getting a job with the federal government.

So all in all I found it quite easy, and I know of a number of people who were succesful in getting their BBG.

[BebaJP80 1]

L and T would you mind to tell me where I can find a template for the BBG??

Thanks in advance

[L and T 9]

L and T would you mind to tell me where I can find a template for the BBG??

Thanks in advance

There is a Yahoo group called "zweipaesse", there you can find lots of information, and templates of applications that have been approved.

[BebaJP80 1]

Thanks for your response, L and T