German Consulate General

Plenty of available free parking right across the street for my morning appointment.
My appointment was for 9:15AM, but since I didn’t have passport photos done yet, they were OK with me coming back when those were done (I came back at about 9:45AM and had to wait for maybe a minute before they finished the passport application/​renewal process).
Both the security guard and the staff behind the passport window were very friendly and efficient.
If you need German passport photos, Photo Plus at 1703 Polk St is a very short walk. At the time of review, Photo Plus opens at 9:30AM and the two German passport photos cost about $ 19 and take just a few minutes.
Theoretically, you scheduled an appointment for 9:45AM you could easily show up at 9:30AM, walk down the street to the photo place, go to the embassy, and be completely done and out the door by 10AM. It’s really that easy. Be sure to have all the necessary forms and items ready and their copies done before you show up to make it go quickly and smoothly.
The only thing I will say is that the online appointment system to schedule the appointments is a bit buggy. I used the popular Google Chrome browser, and at the last page where you were supposed to get your confirmation I got a blank page. I’d suggest using Internet Explorer as it might be more compatible with their site — either way, don’t worry about it too much, because you’ll get a confirmation email within a few hours.
Speaking of online appointments, they are booked about two months in advance, so just keep that in mind.

For those needing a visa urgently, please pick up the phone and talk to a consular officer. And make a case for your urgency. It worked for me.
Please don’t mail me asking for the number. If you are too lazy to even find that, maybe you don’t need to travel anywhere.

I am not very happy with the place. I need to travel to Germany on the 25^th. I am having a conference at Germany.
However, there is no appointments for the visa application up until June. I was told to check if there are cancellations. BUT I KEEP DOING THAT FROM THE BEGINNING OF APRIL. I also went to the consulate directly to see if I can talk to someone and the guard did not even let me in.
So far, bad experience. Anyone wants to give their reservation to me?

i MET WITH A MEMBER OF THE EMBASSY STAFF, AND A TRAINEE WHO WAS WORKING AS A SUMMER Intern. They were both very helpful, cordial and interested in the problem at hand’, obtaining my German citizenship, based on my families’ loss of nationality during WWII.
I respectfully add, both were very attractive, and beautifully dressed… in keeping with the elegance and grandeur of the consul mansion, and Pacific Heights neighborhood.
Security was, understandably, strict but fast and friendly.
The Consul also took time to explain some of the cultural events that take place there, and gave me several glossy publications concerning business and economics, the various regions within Germany, and some maps.
Although I am still waiting to hear an update on my citizenship app, a million Syrians are also taxing the immigration system, so that is how it stands 6 months later…
Scott

I have had nothing but poor service with the Consulate in trying to get a German inheritance certificate. It’s taken two years so far and we’re on our third go-​round. Every time I email my contact, I get a different new intern who knows nothing about my case and has no desire to find out. More than once I’ve been told they have no information on me, even though I gave a case number! The most recent correspondence was positively snippy. Of course you can’t complain except by online form, which I doubt even gets read.

They are super friendly! Went there on Tuesday for short trip visa, received my passport on Friday!

Booked an 8:00 am appointment one month back
Arrived at 7:30 am, its hard to find parking, but there are free spots around in the morning if you are lucky.
Got inside at 7:55 am, my name was on the list
The whole process was smooth, i was out in 20 mins.
I had all the documents arranged in order.
Lady at the consulate was very courteous, checked my original documents and gave me a Fedex form to fill, they use priority overnight shipping, visa arrives after 5 business days.
It’s better to book 8:00 am appointment, less crowded and convenient.

Definitely difficult to find parking, paid or not. Do not count on getting lucky, I arrived 25 minutes before the scheduled appointment and just barely made it in time — had to park half a mile away where I finally found a spot after nearly 20 mins and then ran to Consulate. Also make sure to leave enough time on your parking meter — I paid for an hour and was concerned about getting towed since the people in front of me ran a good bit late and I had to wait 20minutes past my appointment time.
There is no A/​C in the waiting room so it took me a while to cool down after my run, beware on hot days. The Consulate is gated and you will only be let in if your name is on the appointment list.
The lady behind the counter receiving my visa application was very nice. Be nice yourself and you will get treated fairly as well. Do make sure to have all your paperwork in order per website instructions, and that all your documents are clear and readable. Make sure the barcode on your application is printed at 100% and not shrunk. If additional unlisted paperwork is needed, you will be given a checklist with options to email, fax or courier.

I have to say I travel a lot, and I had an opportunity to visit a lot of embassies, by-​far this German Consulate provides the best service.
They have a pretty good website which will help you, get all the necessary documents you need for the interview. Also out of all other embassies in Bay Area, German Embassy has the fastest available appointments.
They also called couple days in advance to confirm my appointment.
When I was at the Consulate they called my name at the exact time my appointment was scheduled (they don’t overbook like some other embassies do).
Their staff was very helpful and explaining their Visa process, they were also trying to save me money by suggesting to pick up the passport instead of mailed out.
Overall Great Service,

I just want to take a minute and compliment, and thank Sigrid Butler for the wonderful service she provided to my elderly Mom and myself on Tuesday. I was really pretty scared about going here and applying for a passport for my Mom. The reviews were very intimidating. I triple checked all the paperwork and copies so many times, afraid that I would be turned away if something was wrong. I was so pleasantly surprised! Sigrid took us right away even though we were quite a bit early for our appt. She was so friendly and considerate of my Mom’s age and frailty. I really can’t say enough about how nice she was and how she processed everything as quickly as possible. She also gave me her name and email address and said to contact her next week because we need the passport number as soon as possible. My Dad recently passed away and my Mom needs to apply for her survivor benefit from the German Social Security agency. She was so sweet, efficient and sympathetic. Definitely an asset to this consulate!

All the reviews here had scared the hell out of my. Boy was I pleasantly surprised.
When I called for a few questions I had, they were considerate & heard me out. Infact one guy was actually waiting while I looked up for some details in my inbox. Had it not been for him, I’d to actually postpone my trip coz I was not able to get an appointment in switz consulate, which was my first choice.
The security at the gate was so warm & welcoming. Even though I’d reached on time I’d to wait for about 10 – 15 minutes. This actually help me calm myself down. And the lady issuing visa was so patient & calm. Especially after visiting an American consulate which is soo stressful this was awesome. Even the ambience inside is very good. Nice wooden interiors .
Calm & nice location. Not too hard to find parking. Am soo. Glad I chose this consulate.

Contrary to what I read in most of the bad reviews here, I had a good experience with the staff at the German Consulate. I went there for Short term visa and came prepared.
The staff were nice, efficient and down to the point. If you come prepared and did all your research then there shouldn’t be any problem. Got my visa 1 week later.
Bonus points because I was about 15 mins late due to extreme Bay Bridge traffic, I explained to them why I was late and they were still accomodating.

Ha, I really had to laugh when I read the negative comments here. As a German, I can totally see why Americans are complaining, but I can also totally understand the other side.
Myself, I have only had positive experiences here. The staff is nice, efficient and professional, they know their job and what works and doesn’t work.
If you come prepared and don’t whine, they will treat you well, be super helpful and try to make life easier for you. What else can you expect???

We had a good experience here getting a passport for our son. Its in a random residential neighborhood in SF so parking can be a pain. We were in and out quick enough and were delighted to receive decent customer service from the Germans (which is rare). The staff was friendly (or as friendly as German customer service gets) and helped us with the process and paperwork.
As for people with the bad reviews I can totally understand where they are coming from. Germans are notorious for being robots and unfriendly regarding customer service. If your paperwork is not in line I could definitely see how they become annoyed but if you show up squared away you shouldn’t have an issue.

I had a very good experience at the consulate. The woman at the gate was extremely kind and friendly. I applied for a student visa, and they saw me a half hour early. The woman at the window was very nice, conversational, and direct. She was pleased with how well I organized the application.
I suggest being very meticulous with the application, make double copies of everything and make sure you have your whole intinerary planned, even if not yet purchased/​finalized (eg lodging, flights). The easier it is for them, the easier it will be for you.
Everyone there was very nice!

Everybody on her saying the stuff is rude probably came unprepared. German’s like people who did their research before coming there and actually bring all the paper work they needed to bring. Myself being German and being raised that way had no problem and have to say the staff… Especially Mrs Butler were SUPER nice and helpful and went out of their way to help me ! I wish I could hug her!

I went there for certifacation of documents, the staffs are very helpful and friendly. They went extra miles to help me. Very satisfied with their service! Thank you.

I cannot believe that those people represent Germany abroad.
So I need to apply for a working visa to Germany. And I need to ask a few questions since my situation is a little complicated. I emailed them twice. No response. I left a message. No response. I called for 15 times. Only two times went through. The first time was a lady who answered my phone. And she did not really answer my question. Second time was a guy. He only said that I should make an appointment and take all my paper work to the consulate. Then they would tell me if I can apply or not.
For God’s sake, no appointment is available for the next 20 days. Which means I have to prepare all the application material and then wait for twenty days only to find out if they would take my application or not.
PS: Since I cannot get an answer from SF. I called the LA consulate. The people are really rude. They literally said that «Don’t you know we have an office in SF? Don’t you know we have different jurisdictions? I cannot help you. My boss need to help the next person». I also called Washington. They declined to answer my questions even after I told them that I tried to contacted SF office and failed.
Is this the typical German attitude? It makes me not want to go anymore…
Well the only polite person is the operator at SF office. She keeps helping transfer my call to the visa department during those 15 times since most of the time no one was picking up at the visa department and I kept calling. And she use the phrase” Good morning”.

The staff members I dealt with were friendly, courteous and professional.
One recommendation I have for anyone dealing with consular matters is to do your research and show up prepared.

Very unprofessional service.
I came here to renew my German passport which was about to expire. The guy behind the counter was very rude and impatient. When I asked him how long he thinks the process is going to take he said: «Das ist dein Kaese!» (That is your cheese, not mine!)
The woman on the counter told me that I will receive a call within 4 – 6 weeks that my passport is going to be ready to be picked up. After not hearing from them for 8 weeks, I called them and the woman on the phone told me to call back another time, everyone is about to go on their lunch break. When I called the next day another woman told me that my passport is going to be ready in 2 weeks. 2 days later I get a call that my passport is now ready to be picked up.
Very disappointed by the service here.