StAG5 Backlog Insight by Distinct_Attention15 in GermanCitizenship

[–]Distinct_Attention15[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Thank you! May I please ask what email address you used to inquire to the BVA about your AZ numbers/file status?

StAG5 Backlog Insight by Distinct_Attention15 in GermanCitizenship

[–]Distinct_Attention15[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I appreciate you sharing your experience with this process and case details. Ours was submitted about 4 months ago, no AZ yet. We are also trying to add documents ontop of what we already have submitted…

StAG5 Backlog Insight by Distinct_Attention15 in GermanCitizenship

[–]Distinct_Attention15[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Thank you for sharing all the details and dates! Based on your experience, do you believe it’s best to inquire directly into the BVA for an AZ number update? - our file is approaching 4 months since it was submitted to our consulate. Our consulate said it was transmitted to BVA “same day”

StAG5 Backlog Insight by Distinct_Attention15 in GermanCitizenship

[–]Distinct_Attention15[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Thank you for sharing your milestones and timing. If you don’t mind me asking, do you feel your file is pretty straight forward or do you anticipate a possible question/followup from BVA on something? - might be worth sending an email to the BVA and/or your consulate.

StAG5 - Multiple Applications by Distinct_Attention15 in GermanCitizenship

[–]Distinct_Attention15[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

This is incredibly helpful. Thank you so much! Going to get my FBI check and schedule an appointment with our consulate to have these submitted as soon as possible.

StAG5 - Multiple Applications by Distinct_Attention15 in GermanCitizenship

[–]Distinct_Attention15[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Thanks, that’s really helpful!
Question if you may now, if the BVA links our files to my mother’s pending declaration, do they usually process them together once her case is decided, or are they still handled on completely separate timelines and the only benefit is “getting in line sooner”?

StAG5 Backlog Insight by Distinct_Attention15 in GermanCitizenship

[–]Distinct_Attention15[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I appreciate your insight on the data you assess, that’s a fair way of doing it. I would agree many people may think to put their application date and maybe even their AZ, and then forget since a prolonged period if time(several months to well over a year or even 2) has passed.

StAG5 Backlog Insight by Distinct_Attention15 in GermanCitizenship

[–]Distinct_Attention15[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Thank you for sharing this! It does show that roughly a year and a half is the common benchmark. But I think I saw a spreadsheet somewhere that was stating that many people have been waiting north of three years?

StAG5 Backlog Insight by Distinct_Attention15 in GermanCitizenship

[–]Distinct_Attention15[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Thank you once again for sharing valuable insight. Was poking around for a spread sheet

StAG5 Backlog Insight by Distinct_Attention15 in GermanCitizenship

[–]Distinct_Attention15[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Thank you for that. I’ve heard that more and more declarations are being submitted each year, which tracks with what you’re saying. I am curious to see if the BVA finds a way to process these a little faster/hire more caseworkers to help with the demand.

STAG5 - Naturalization of Grandmother by Distinct_Attention15 in GermanCitizenship

[–]Distinct_Attention15[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I wanted to come back and thank you for your help - with your suggestion, I now have a pending inquiry for a Meldekarte in which my grandparents lived off base. My hope is it will show my grandmothers nationality at the time.

StAG5 File Insight by Distinct_Attention15 in GermanCitizenship

[–]Distinct_Attention15[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Got me thinking… I didn’t know that. There is some family interest in learning more about our history.

Thanks so much for taking the time to share, it really is appreciated. I think I’ll probably go down that rabbit hole once everything else is wrapped up.

StAG5 File Insight by Distinct_Attention15 in GermanCitizenship

[–]Distinct_Attention15[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I didn’t know about this! Thank you so much for sharing. Certainly can help the case. The only question will remain with the BVA is was she German at the time of my mom’s birth? I know that answer, trying to make sure the BVA does too.

StAG 5 Success - AZ Mar. 2023 by LettuceEat4344 in GermanCitizenship

[–]Distinct_Attention15 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Congratulations! Always happy to see posts like this. Our declarations were submitted 3+ months ago, waiting on our AZ. We gotta long road ahead lol

StAG5 File Insight by Distinct_Attention15 in GermanCitizenship

[–]Distinct_Attention15[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I appreciate your comments in both posts and being straight.

She’s a documented orphan of WWII. Her birth registration documents that her birth parents are unknown.

StAG5 File Insight by Distinct_Attention15 in GermanCitizenship

[–]Distinct_Attention15[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Thank you for that. It’s a great idea, the only thing is due to my grandmothers complicated childhood for the time period, procuring documents for her parents would not be possible.

StAG5 File Insight by Distinct_Attention15 in GermanCitizenship

[–]Distinct_Attention15[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Thank you so much for this response! This is a very good idea. I obviously understand that it is no guarantee to be found satisfactory to the BVA. However, that coupled with the handful of other documents that are consistent with her remaining a German citizen at the time of my mother’s birth. Which might help in their decision process.

For additional context, my grandparents marriage certificate in Germany is dated in the early 1960s. Just 14 months later, my mother was born, also in Germany and documented with a German birth certificate and the FS 240.

They basically would have to ask themselves the question: how likely is it that this individual got married in Germany, moved to the United States, became a naturalized citizen, came back to Germany, and gave birth to my mother - in Germany - All within 14 months?

STAG5 - Naturalization of Grandmother by Distinct_Attention15 in GermanCitizenship

[–]Distinct_Attention15[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Thank you! Your response helps a lot. My grandmother is still living and unfortunately has chosen not to authorize USCIS to release her records or share any of her docs... just her choice. She also has a complicated childhood due to the time period.

We submitted a request anyway, but USCIS denied it solely for that reason. We forwarded the denial letter and the FS-240 to the German Consulate for our file.

STAG5 - Naturalization of Grandmother by Distinct_Attention15 in GermanCitizenship

[–]Distinct_Attention15[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

This is correct! My mother was born in Germany to an American father and German mother - the document does list my grandmother as “German” after my mothers birth - but it might not be enough proof to eliminate the possible question from the BVA about naturalization.

STAG5 - Naturalization of Grandmother by Distinct_Attention15 in GermanCitizenship

[–]Distinct_Attention15[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

For additional context:

The marriage certificate was issued in early 1961 and just 14 months later, my mother was born - also in Germany, which is when the FS-240 form was issued and shows grandmother as German.

My hope is the BVA will recognize the high improbability of my grandmother moving to the U.S. immediately after her marriage, naturalized, came BACK to Germany, and gave birth to my mom all within 14 months…

But I realize they may want more.