Can I be a dual citizen?

Am I a dual citizen? If so can I get a dual citizen card?

• I was born in germany to my mother (german citizen) and father (american citizen. I am trying to find out if I still hold dual citizenship. I lived in germany for 13 years and now in the states for 6 years. I have a german and american birth certificate and social security number. My friend is a dual citizen of the us and france. She told me she holds a dual citizen card. Is there a way I can get a card like that? By the way I am Female so I dont believe I would be subject to required military service in either country

• Answer:

  There is no such thing as a "dual citizen card," but based on the information you provided it appears you definitely have dual citizenship of the two countries. Dual citizens can carry passports of both countries -- maybe this is what your friend was referring to? Germany is very strict about its citizens holding dual citizenship -- Germans usually lose their citizenship automatically when becoming naturalised citizens of a non-European country. However, because you gained your U.S. citizenship at birth (by descent from an American parent) you retained your German citizenship and will not be asked to give it up. Please be aware that joining the U.S. military can cause you to lose your German citizenship. You would have to apply to the German government in order to retain your German citizenship before enlisting in U.S. military service. The next step is to apply for a German passport if you are interested. Information on how to apply for a passport is on the German Embassy website --> http://www.germany.info/Vertretung/usa/en/04__Legal/02__Directory__Services/03__Passport/__Passport.html German citizenship gives you the right to live and work in Germany or anywhere else in the European Union (e.g., France, Spain, UK, Italy, etc). You do not need a visa or work permit as Germans are citizens of the European Union and are free to travel thoughout the EU. A word of caution, though. When leaving or entering the USA you must only use your U.S. passport because the U.S. government only views you as its own citizen. It is not illegal for you to hold dual citizenship, but the U.S. does not encourage it as a matter of practice. Holding a German passport will not cause you to lose your U.S. citizenship unless you decide to renounce it in front of American authorities. Information on German citizenship law and dual citizenship for German citizens: http://www.toronto.diplo.de/Vertretung/toronto/en/04/Citizenship/Seite__StA__Deutsche__eng.html US State Department Services Dual Nationality: http://travel.state.gov/travel/cis_pa_tw/cis/cis_1753.html P.S. - You are correct: Women are not subject to compulsory military service in Germany.