1961 passport photo turns up as we ramp up German citizenship application plans

1961 passport photo turns up as we ramp up German citizenship application plans

Going through the papers that Joanne had assembled in 2012 for her German citizenship application, I came across Walter's original 1961 passport, also including Daniel and Joanne as minors. 

I can't remember having seen this image of the three of us that was taken in March 1961.

Walter has gotten me motivated to follow through and refile for my own German naturalization under Article 116, which we believe will be approved now following the 2020 change in German law. 

This will be a wonderful gift from Helga in her centennial year, when Trump could be returning to office, god help us. 

I'm not sure if we need to resubmit notarized original documents (of Hermann's birth and death and Helga's birth, marriage, and death) since these were reviewed with Joanne's application. 

Once we clear up that question, Walter and I can submit applications with notarized copies of our passports and birth certificates. The paperwork is fairly straightforward.

Once we have submitted, it could take a year or more to go through the process. In Joanne's case, we made the mistake of including Elly's Polish passport in the submission, which engendered a request for clarification that slowed things down. 

I'm not counting on things to get done before the coming election or next inauguration day. But we may have options soon after that. Once Walter and I get approved, then Twyla and Gene will be eligible to apply, if they want to.