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Barbara,
If your parents are American, then you are American by
birth -- no matter where you were born! Now, depending
on the law of the country you were born in (in this
case Germany), you also may be considered a citizen of
that country.
The following definition of U.S. citizenship can be found
at the following url:
http://www.usais.org/cz.htm
"A citizen of the United States is a native-born, foreign-born, or naturalized person who owes allegiance to the United States and who is entitled to its protection. In addition to the naturalization process, the United States recognizes the U.S. citizenship of individuals according to two fundamental principles: jus soli, or right of birthplace, and jus sanguinis, or right of blood.
As a citizen, you get unique rights and privileges which include the right to vote, having a U.S. passport , the U.S. government's protection when abroad and the right to petition for green cards for your children and close relatives. As a U.S. citizen, you cannot be deported or lose your citizenship even if you commit a crime or choose to live elsewhere in the world, unless you misrepresented yourself to get citizenship or were ineligible at the time."
The following is at URL:
http://www.usais.org/citizenshipfaqs.htm#q2
2. Who is born a United States citizen?
Generally, people are born U.S. citizens if they are born in the United States or if they are born to U.S. citizens:
(1) By being born in the United States
If you were born in the United States (including, in most cases, Puerto Rico, Guam, and the U.S. Virgin Islands), you are an American citizen at birth (unless you were born to a foreign diplomat). Your birth certificate is proof of your citizenship.
(2) Through birth abroad to TWO United States citizens
In most cases, you are a U.S. citizen if ALL of the following are true:
* Both your parents were U.S. citizens when you were born; and
* At least one of your parents lived in the United States at some point in their life.
Your record of birth abroad, if registered with a U.S. consulate or embassy, is proof of your citizenship. You may also apply for a passport to have your citizenship recognized. If you need additional proof of your citizenship, you may file a Form N-600, "Application for Certificate of Citizenship" with INS to get a Certificate of Citizenship.
(3) Through birth abroad to ONE United States citizen
In most cases, you are a U.S. citizen if ALL of the following are true:
* One of your parents was a U.S. citizen when you were born;
* Your citizen parent lived at least 5 years in the United States before
you were born; and
* At least 2 of these 5 years in the United States were after your
citizen parent's 14th birthday*.
Your record of birth abroad, if registered with a U.S. consulate or embassy, is proof of your citizenship. You may also apply for a passport to have your citizenship recognized. If you need additional proof of your citizenship, you may file an "Application for Certificate of Citizenship" (Form N-600) with INS to get a Certificate of Citizenship.
*If you were born before November 14, 1986, you are a citizen if your U.S. citizen parent lived in the United States for at least 10 years and 5 of those years in the United States were after your citizen parent's 14th birthday.
I hope this helps.
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