When we just started our little project, one of the first questions we were asked by clients was “why should we pay you for something we can get for free in the German embassy”.
A very legitimate question.
The thing is – you are actually not getting the same thing for free at the German embassy.
From what we have gathered from our own experience over the years and stories from our clients, when addressing them regarding an application for naturalization, you will be provided with the application forms and a general list of documents, not cut out to cover your specific case.
You can then fill in your forms, have copies of your documents certified and drop it all at the embassy, which will then forward your material to the relevant German authority.
Voilà. Services concluded.
The German embassy itself will not review your case before sending you on what may be a mad goose chase after birth certificates or marriage certificates. They will also not tell you whether you are or aren’t eligible for naturalization and most importantly, they will not assist you in retrieving the documentation proving your eligibility.
We at GCR know exactly what kind of documents are deemed proof of former citizenship. And we know that in many cases, it is rather difficult to present such documents.
Children who came with the Kindertransport or adults who had acquired a visa may be lucky enough to have their entry and citizenship registered somewhere in an archive within the UK.
But would you know where?
Or would you know how to retrieve such proof from Germany, in case it can’t be found in the UK?
Would you know how to derive from the date and place of birth of your grandfather, for example, what archives to search in order to find any form of official confirmation regarding his German citizenship at the time? Or when and how he was deprived of it?
Would you even recognize such confirmation?
Or would you know how to find the birth certificate of your grandfather in Germany or the marriage certificate of his parents?
And what would you do if your grandfather had a name change that went undocumented? How would you prove that he is indeed one and the same person?
As straightforward the process for naturalization may be, there is a multitude of pitfalls on the way, where people can get stuck. And once a file is opened in their name in Germany containing contradictory information or with documents missing, this can and will slow down the process.
Ultimately, a large number of people filing their petitions via the German embassy without receiving any form of guidance end up paying considerable amounts for certification of copies and signatures and waiting a very long time, only to find out that their petition was denied.
We at GCR are making a point to ensure that your application is accompanied by the necessary proof of former German citizenship.
We will evaluate the documents in your possession and where such proof is missing, we will leave no stone unturned in our attempts to find it in one of the many German archives we have access to.
We are making a point to ensure that you can prove also that were it not for the Nazi persecution, you would hold German citizenship today. We will provide the German authority with your full family history based on the facts presented by you and the documents obtained.
We are making a point to ensure that all your accompanying documentation is presented together with the application forms and that the forms are being filled out correctly and without contradictions or omission of relevant details.
And we are making a point to not send out any petitions the success of which we are not convinced of! In the almost 18 years of experience in the matter, we have seen almost all the twists and turns out there and have established ways to counter them.
Not only are we not sending out petitions we don’t believe in, but the fact that we will have done all the research and presented everything to the German authority on a shiny and polished silver platter will shorten their decision making process considerably!
Once we have forwarded everything to the relevant German authority, we are making sure your documents are received and registered. We are then following up after about six months and should any info or documentation be missing, we will provide all the assistance required to obtain it.
Unlike the German embassy we are not merely a diplomatic post office.
We are rather a one stop shop for everything, from obtaining the relevant proofs or other documents over filling in the forms and down to seeing things through until we can inform you that your petition has been granted and your certificate of naturalization has been forwarded to the embassy for pickup against signature.
We will then advise you on how to obtain the certificate and are even happy to assist you in filling out the forms for your subsequent passport application.
So don’t hesitate to contact us to avail of your free initial consultation!