How to get dual American / German citizenship

So should I have him go to his command down range about staying?

When is he due to PCS from Germany? He can mention it to the 1st Sgt sometime before he gets his orders. I don't know if the Army has the equivalent of an IPCOT (in place consecutive overseas tour) or an indefinite DEROS or if they are only Air Force specific.

Generally it is more a case of who you know, If he keeps his head down and doesn't cause any trouble (that goes for over ambitious wives too) If he volunteers for the Unit and is seen to go above and beyond then it MAY help. At the end of the day he signed on the dotted line, has taken the re enlistment bonus and the Army owns him.

He is not due to PCS until 2015.

Then sit back and enjoy Germany for the next 7 years. In the Army if you are good you make rank quite quickly, with a few more stripes under his belt he will have more contact with those who can make it happen. Yes people do get out and stay but it is usually when the spouse is German which makes getting residence here much easier. You will have to prove to the Germans you have something to offer and can support yourselves.

He could also get out and become a contractor, therefore enjoying the best of both worlds. However there are tight rules and regs these days and you will need to ensure that you don't do certain things right now to jeopardize that in the future. Government Service is another possibility. Seven years is a long time, things change rapidly and it may not have the same appeal when you are older and wiser.

If you are really serious about staying then you have a long time to put those plans into action. Take intensive German classes, get yourself a trade with certification accepted by the Germans. The more you have to offer them, the better your chances of staying. Just pitching up in 7 years and saying "We love it here and want citizenship" won't cut the mustard.

OK thank you. Can you give me any ideas for a trade? I'm willing to learn anything. Also, can you recommend any places for me to take German classes?

What are your interest or do you have any other than seemingly needing some hand holding to find out information from people on TT about what's going on and how to get things done in Germany? If you're that interested in staying in Germany then why don't you start by taking some initiative in trying to find out some information for yourself. It's not difficult or scary to venture outside of your American bubble and find out things on your own or at least begin to make an effort.

This is what I don't understand. I am American, and want desperately to move to Berlin, but I am not military. I'm an old socialist from Berkeley! Usually, military families are very pro-American which is why they join the military, in the first place.

I can understand wanting to get out of the US. I for one, can not stomach the direction America has been headed since the Bushe's took control. Perhaps if one of the Democrats manages to take the throne away things will get better, but I doubt it. America, has unfortunately become too corporate and greedy. But why, would a military family say theres nothing back there left for us? I'm an old leftie, so it makes sense that I don't want to stay here. But someone who enlisted in the US military? I realize I'm being redundant, sorry!

I would suggest just keeping your citizenship, learning German and looking for work when it is near time for your husbands discharge. I would also be very cautious of "big brother". There is no anonymity on the internet.

Hello,

I am an American living in London - can someone comment on my most likely path for getting a German passport/becoming a dual citizen?

1. My wife is German and holds a German passport. We have two children together and they both hold German passports. My wife does not work and my children are ages 6 months and 2 years old. Is there scope for me getting one bz my wife and children are economically dependent?

2. My grandparents were born in Germany and moved to the USA; they had not yet naturalized and were still German citizens when my father was born. Although he received US citizenship bz he was born in the states, Germany (I believe) views him as having the right to decendency because his parents were both legally German when he was born - and therefore he may have the right to pass it on?

My question is which path (if either) is better to pursue? I'm guessing it is number 2?

Kind regards,
patkre

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Its best to contact the German Embassy in the UK for more up to date and correct info. than can be provided here.
But from previous posts, your likely hood of getting a German PP is very slim.

I also don't believe the "married to a German" has any relevance if you are not living in Germany. "Für Personen, die nicht in Deutschland wohnen, kommt eine Einbürgerung nur selten in Betracht"

Normally the ability to apply for citizenship is based on residence in that country - and there may be some allowance for marriage to a national (e.g. you have to wait for less time before you can apply if you are married to a cizizen of that country). In Germany, the requirement is that you have to be living in the country (legally) for at least 8 years, and know German to a certain level, and understand the constitution etc...

See here for more information.

Having said that, if your wife is German, you already have similar rights to an EU citizen through her, at least from a working and living with in the EU perspective, so the need to a German passport is less great.

If an EU passport is important to you, given the fact that you are living in London, you may want to look into your eligibility to apply for British cizizenship after a few years of living there.