Apply for naturalization

Prerequisites

• You have been residing legally in Germany for several years.
• Their identity and nationality have been clarified.
• You are able to support yourself and your dependent family members without having to rely on certain public benefits.
• You have sufficient knowledge of the German language (level B1).
• You have civic knowledge, which you may need to demonstrate by taking a naturalization test.
• Your integration into German living conditions is guaranteed. This means in particular that you are not married to more than one spouse at the same time.
• They declare their commitment to the free democratic basic order of the Basic Law and make a declaration of loyalty (from the age of 16)

Depending on the circumstances of your individual case, fewer, more or different requirements may apply. The responsible authority can inform you accordingly upon your request.

Documents required

• Valid national passport or official identity document with photo
• Valid residence permit
• Documents relating to civil status (birth certificate, marriage certificate, divorce decree or death certificate of the spouse), if applicable with translation, legalization or apostille
• School, vocational, training and/or university qualifications acquired in Germany
• if you are a student: current school certificate
• if you are a student: current certificate of study
• if you are employed: employment contract and proof of income
• if you receive a pension: pension certificate / pension insurance history (issued by the German Pension Insurance)
• if you are self-employed: business registration, current income tax assessment and proof of the profit achieved (for example, through an informal certificate from the tax advisor about the net income or business analysis)
• Rental agreement
• Proof of health insurance coverage
• Proof of retirement provision (e.g. property ownership, private life insurance / pension insurance)
• Evidence of renunciation or loss of previous nationality
• Proof of sufficient German language skills (e.g. certificate B1); for children under 16 years of age, age-appropriate language development is sufficient
• Proof of civic knowledge (for example through a “Living in Germany/Naturalization Test” certificate) from the age of 16
• for minors: proof of custody (for example, in the case of divorced or unmarried parents through a custody order)
• In case of joint parental custody: declaration of consent of the other parent with custody
• The declaration of commitment to the free democratic basic order and the declaration of loyalty are made from the age of 16 during a personal interview.

Depending on the individual case, fewer, more or different documents may be necessary. The responsible authority will inform you accordingly.

Please note

If you are already 16 years old, you can complete the naturalization process without a legal guardian.

If you wish to apply for naturalization as part of your family, you only need to submit one application.

If you are already 18 years old, you must submit your own application.

Deadlines

No

Procedure

Before you submit an application for naturalization, it is a good idea to answer the questions in the "Quick Check" online. After you have fully answered the questionnaire, you will be informed whether you currently meet the requirements for naturalization, subject to a later review.

• You submit your application for naturalization together with the necessary documents via the online service.
• The responsible authority will examine your application and, if necessary, request any missing documents or information from you.
• Processing of your application will begin once the residence periods required for your naturalization have been met and the responsible authority has received all the necessary documents and information.
• If necessary, the competent authority will involve other authorities and offices in your procedure.
• Once a decision has been made, the responsible body will notify you in writing.

Processing time

The processing time for the naturalization procedure varies from person to person. On average, the procedure takes more than 12 months.

Fees

• Adults or minors naturalized without the presence of their parents: EUR 255.00 per person


• If minors are naturalized together with their parents: EUR 51.00 per minor

Fees are only due when you submit your application. If you receive public funding, you may be able to apply for a fee reduction.

Legal remedies

Contradiction

Legal basis

§§ 8 - 10 Nationality Act (StAG)

https://www.gesetze-im-internet.de/stag/__8.html