'Antrag S for Late Repatriates: How to Fill Out the Application and Who

Antrag S is an application for an Aufnahmebescheid to participate in the late resettlement procedure under the Bundesvertriebenengesetz (BVFG). It is submitted to the Bundesverwaltungsamt (BVA), usually before leaving the country of origin. The application must specify the primary applicant, German ancestry, a declaration of German nationality, language proficiency, and the family members to be included in the admission decision.

This material helps you understand the structure of the application but does not replace Merkblatt S or the current BVA forms. Before submitting your documents, compare your package with the official BVA download package and the requirements of the German diplomatic mission in your country.

Who Can File an Antrag S

The application is submitted by a person who wishes to obtain “” status as a late resettler () or “Spätaussiedler.” The competent authority is the Bundesverwaltungsamt (BVA). Documents can be submitted directly to the BVA, through a German diplomatic mission, or through an authorized representative in Germany, if this approach is appropriate for the specific case.

Key requirements are generally verified based on the BVFG and BVA guidelines:

The applicant was born before January 1, 1993;
whether there is a verified lineage tracing back to German ancestors;
German nationality has been declared or can be proven by documents;
The applicant may demonstrate proficiency in German in the required format;
Relocation to Germany takes place as part of the Aufnahmeverfahren (admission procedure), not after moving independently to establish permanent residence.

If the documents indicate a nationality other than German, the matter must be addressed separately. Archival documents, civil registry records, court decisions, or other evidence may sometimes help, but there is no one-size-fits-all solution: the BVA evaluates the documents as a whole.

An Important Rule Before the BVA Decision

For recognition as a Spätaussiedler, it is essential that the applicant did not leave the territory of origin in a manner that would indicate a permanent change of residence to another country. A vacation or a short trip does not in itself constitute relocation, but a prolonged move, permanent residence, or sustained living outside the Aussiedlungsgebiet may pose a problem.

You should be particularly cautious regarding relocation to third countries, residence permits based on marriage, employment, or other long-term immigration programs. If your situation is unusual, it is best to request a written clarification from the BVA in advance or consult with a specialist in BVFG.

Who Can Be Included in the Antrag S

In the Antrag S, you must list separately the relatives who are to be included in the Aufnahmebescheid along with the main applicant. Important factors include the degree of kinship, age, marital status, the date of birth of a child or descendant, and the date of marriage.

Spouses and Descendants Included in the Aufnahmebescheid

The Aufnahmebescheid may include the applicant’s spouse, children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren, provided the conditions of the BVFG are met. For spouses, the duration of the marriage is important: in BVA practice, marriages that have lasted at least three years are assessed separately from shorter marriages.

Direct descendants are generally considered to be the children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren of the main applicant. If a child was born or a marriage took place after the application was submitted, you must notify the BVA of the change in family composition and attach supporting documents.

Relatives Who Do Not Automatically Qualify as Spätaussiedler

Not every family member receives the same status as the principal applicant. For certain relatives, specific rules regarding the inclusion, allocation, and residence of family members apply. In practice, this may apply to:

spouses who have been married for less than three years;
minor children of the spouse from a previous marriage;
spouses, adult children, or grandchildren;
other family members who are not direct descendants of the applicant.

Such cases cannot be described using a single formula. You must consider the current BVFG, immigration regulations, and the specific family situation.

Who is generally not eligible for “Antrag S”

You should not automatically include all relatives in the Antrag S. As a rule, there is no separate application process through the main applicant’s application for:

the parents of a late resettler or the parents of his or her spouse;
adult children of the spouse from a previous marriage;
children in foster care, unless they have been adopted or there is a legal basis for their inclusion.

If your family relationships are complex, it’s best not to rely on others’ examples: the BVA reviews documents, not informal descriptions of family relationships.

Language Test and Language Proficiency Test

For the principal applicant, verification of German language proficiency is essential. The BVA materials refer to the Sprachtest; language certificates may also be considered if they are accepted in a specific procedure. Details depend on the individual’s role in the application and the current BVA guidelines.

Adult family members who are included in the Aufnahmebescheid may be required to provide proof of basic German language proficiency. An A1 level is often required, but exemptions and exceptions must be verified using the current Merkblatt S and BVA guidelines.

The Goethe-Institut’s “” certificate can be one clear way to confirm your language level, but before registering for the exam, check which specific certificate is required for your role in the case.

Where to Obtain the Antrag S Form and Merkblatt S

The application form, Merkblatt S, and additional forms must be obtained from the official BVA website or via the Bundesportal. Do not use old PDFs from forums or forwarded files: forms and instructions may be updated.

The following materials are typically available on the BVA website under the “Spätaussiedler” section:

Application form (Antrag S);
Merkblatt S with explanations of the procedure;
Guidelines on documents and certified copies;
information on entry, registration in Friedland, and next steps;
BVA contact information and mailing address.

It is advisable to read Merkblatt S on the BVA website alongside the form itself: this makes it easier to understand which fields to fill out and where to indicate “entfällt.”

How to Fill Out the Antrag S

The main rule is that the application must be complete, legible, and consistent. The information in the application must match that on passports, certificates, archival records, and translations.

Practical tips:

Fill out the fields in block letters and in German, if required by the form;
Enter first and last names exactly as they appear in your foreign passport or official document;
Inappropriate fields are usually filled in with the word “entfällt,” unless Merkblatt S specifies otherwise;
Do not leave any fields blank without a valid reason;
Where possible, write places of birth and residence using the German transcription;
Verify dates, family relationships, and former last names against your documents before submission.

Part I

Indicate the country or state where the applicant resides at the time of submission. If the applicant does not live in their country of birth or has spent a long time outside their country of origin, this may require further explanation.

Part II

Enter the main applicant’s information: first name, last name, date and place of birth, citizenship, marital status, address, and details regarding language proficiency and ancestry. Documents confirming German nationality and lineage are particularly important here.

If a spouse or descendant is applying for status under §4 BVFG on their own behalf, they may need to submit a separate application rather than simply being included in the main applicant’s Antrag S.

Part III

List the spouse and descendants whom the applicant requests to be included in the Aufnahmebescheid. First and last names must match those on the documents. If a family member has changed their last name, documents explaining the sequence of changes are required.

Part IV

This section typically covers individuals who are traveling with the applicant but are not designated as the principal applicant. For each such person, you must verify the legal basis, language requirements, and supporting documents.

Documents for Antrag S

The exact set of documents depends on the family, the country where the documents were issued, and the applicant’s history. Typically, documents are prepared for the main applicant and all family members to be included in the application:

birth certificates;
marriage certificates;
documents regarding divorce, change of surname, adoption, or death, if they are relevant to the family relationship;
passports and documents indicating nationality;
archival records, extracts, and other evidence of German ancestry;
criminal record certificates, if required based on the applicant’s age and role;
employment records or documents detailing your work history, if required by Merkblatt S;
Language certificates or documents for scheduling a language test.

Certifications, Translations, and Apostille

The BVA generally requires certified copies and translations into German, rather than simple copies. The certification must confirm that the copy matches the original. The translation must be in a format accepted by German authorities.

For certain civil status documents, an apostille () may be required (). The rules depend on the country, the date the document was issued, and international agreements, so you cannot rely on outdated lists here. Check the section on the Hague Apostille in the current Merkblatt S and, if in doubt, clarify the requirements with the BVA or the German diplomatic mission.

Submitting the Application and Awaiting a Decision

The completed Antrag S, along with the supporting documents, should be sent to the Bundesverwaltungsamt. Official sources list the BVA address in Cologne for paper submissions; however, you should verify the current address and the availability of online submission options before sending your documents.

There is no fixed processing time. The BVA may request additional documents, duplicate copies, or clarifications regarding surnames, nationality, place of residence, or language. This is a normal part of the review process and does not necessarily indicate a rejection.

If significant errors, incomplete information, or grounds for rejection are found, the decision may be denied, or an Aufnahmebescheid that has already been issued may be subject to review. Therefore, it is better to correct inaccuracies before submission rather than hoping that the agency will not notice them.

Aufnahmebescheid: What a Positive Decision Means

The Aufnahmebescheid confirms that the applicant has been admitted to the late resettlement process. After entering Germany, late resettlers and their included family members undergo registration—usually via Friedland—and then receive documents confirming their status.

Friedland is important not only as a point of arrival: registration and placement there trigger the subsequent administrative steps in Germany.

Following a positive decision, the BVA issues an Aufnahmebescheid; further steps depend on the family composition and the order of entry.

BVA Rejection and Appeal

Your application may be denied if the BVA determines that the conditions of the BVFG have not been met: German ancestry is not confirmed, the declaration of German nationality is not substantiated, there are issues with language proficiency, documentation, place of residence, or grounds for exclusion under §5 of the BVFG.

Legal remedies are usually available following a denial: an “Widerspruch” (appeal) and subsequently a “Klage vor dem Verwaltungsgericht” (lawsuit before the administrative court). The deadlines are short: official guidelines specify one month for filing a “Widerspruch” after “Bekanntgabe” (notification) and one month for filing a lawsuit after “Zustellung des Widerspruchsbescheids” (service of the appeal decision). Always check the “Rechtsbehelfsbelehrung” (notice of legal remedies) attached to the decision for the specific deadline and address.

If the denial is related to a previous case, a reconsideration, or a change in the law, do not send a form letter without verifying the details first. In such situations, the date of the previous denial, the case number, the grounds for denial, and the applicable transitional provisions are important.

Checklist Before Submitting Antrag S

Download the current Antrag S and Merkblatt S from the official source.
The information in the application must match that on passports and certificates.
All family members are listed in the correct role.
The family line back to the German ancestor is confirmed by documents.
Nationality, changes in last name, and family events are documented and explained.
Copies must be certified in a format accepted by the BVA.
Translations have been done into German and are properly formatted.
The apostille has been verified by country and date of issuance of the document.
There are no blank fields in the application form without an explanation.
Before sending, save copies of the entire package and the cover letter.

FAQ

Is it possible to submit an Antrag S from within Germany?

As a general rule, the application must be submitted before traveling to Germany as part of the Aufnahmeverfahren. If a person is already in Germany or another country on a long-term basis, the process may become complicated. An individual review under the BVA/BVFG is required.

Do I need to list all relatives?

You must list those whom you are requesting to be included in the Aufnahmebescheid or who are relevant to proving your ancestry and family lineage. Do not add relatives “just in case” if there is no legal basis for doing so.

Is it possible to retake the language test?

The possibility of retaking the language test depends on the BVA’s decision and the procedures in your specific case. Before re-registering, clarify which format and which document the agency will accept.

What should you do if the BVA has requested additional documents?

Respond by the deadline, include the Aktenzeichen, and submit only the documents or explanations specifically requested by the agency. If a document cannot be obtained, it is best to explain this in writing and attach evidence of your attempts to obtain it.