Step-by-step guide to applying for naturalization
A naturalization application can seem complicated, but with our detailed step-by-step guide we make it easy for you. It is important that you keep the process in mind, from organizing the documents to submitting the application and receiving the Naturalization.
Step 1: Requirements and documents
Before you apply for naturalization, it is important to make sure that you meet all the requirements and have the necessary documents ready.
Check the personal requirements:
- Minimum length of stay (5 years)
- Language skills (B1 certificate)
- Knowledge of the legal and social order (naturalization test)
Organize and fill out documents:
- Passport/ID card/birth certificate/other identity document
- Residence permit
- Language certificates (B1 certificate)
- Proof of your income
- Certificate of good conduct
- Naturalization test certificate (if required)
- Naturalization application form
Step 2: Submitting the application
Now that you have collected and completed all the necessary documents, the next step is to submit the application:
Find the responsible authority:
- Find out which authority in your place of residence is responsible for the naturalization application. This is usually the local immigration office or the naturalization authority. This is also where you organize the naturalization form, which you then fill out completely.
Submit documents and observe processing times:
- Submit your application and all required documents in person to the competent authority.
- Please note the processing times, which may vary depending on the authority and individual case.
Step 3: Dealing with notices
After you have submitted your naturalization application, you must now wait 3 weeks. The Foreigners' office has this time to process your application.
Lawsuit for failure of act if required:
- If the authority does not respond to your application within the statutory period, you have the option of submitting an application to Lawsuit for failure of act .
- The administrative court will give the authority a new deadline after the complaint has been submitted and your application will be processed.
Objection in the event of a negative decision
- As with an application to Residence permit , you can also lodge an objection to an application for naturalization. You must always observe the deadline of 3 weeks after a negative decision.
Step 4: Positive decision and receipt of the naturalization certificate
If the decision is positive, Foreigners' office will contact you.
Invitation to the award ceremony:
- The authority arranges a date for the ceremonial awarding of the naturalization certificate.
Official Naturalization:
- With the naturalization certificate and your German passport, you are now officially a German citizen.
Here we have once again illustrated the process of Naturalization and the naturalization application in a graphic:
Documents and records
For a successful naturalization application, you must submit a number of documents. These documents are necessary to prove your identity, your residence status and your integration achievements.
Necessary documents
First of all, you need to compile the basic documents that are required for every naturalization application:
Passport/birth certificate/identity document: An official document confirming your place and date of birth.
Periods of residence: Proof that you have been living legally in Germany for at least 5 years, e.g. a Settlement permit or a residence permit that is not blocked for Naturalization .
Language certificates: A certificate of German language proficiency, usually at least at level B1 of the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR). There are exceptions due to educational or professional achievements (vocational training) in Germany that are equivalent to B1 level. With the new Naturalization Act, the language requirements for people who have been legally resident in Germany for a long time are easier.
Special documents
In addition to the general documents, further evidence may be required depending on the individual situation:
Proof of income:
- Proof of income for the last few months, e.g. payslips, tax assessment notices or proof of housing benefit, child benefit or child supplement These are required to show that you can support yourself.
Criminal record extract:
- A current extract from the Federal Central Criminal Register proving that you have not committed any serious criminal offenses.
All documents except the naturalization form are summarized here as a table:
Document | Description |
|---|---|
Passport/birth certificate | Confirmation of your place and date of birth |
Residence permit | Proof of legal residence in Germany |
Language certificates | Certificate of German language proficiency (at least level B1) Easier language requirements: Educational and professional achievements in Germany at B1 level or long legal residence in Germany. |
Proof of income | Pay slips, tax statements, proof of child benefit, parental benefit and housing benefit. |
Police clearance certificate | Current extract from the Federal Central Register |
Naturalization application form
The naturalization application itself is a comprehensive form that requires detailed information about yourself, your residence status and your family circumstances.
Here are some of the most important sections and questions contained in the form:
Information about yourself:
- Surname, first name, date of birth, place of birth
- Place of residence, street, profession
- Contact information (telephone, fax, e-mail)
Information on marital status and spouse:
- Marital status (single, married, widowed, divorced, separated)
- Details of previous marriages and civil partnerships
- Personal details of the spouse or partner (name, date of birth, occupation)
Status and residence:
- Current and former nationalities
- Proof of loss of previous citizenship
- Special status (homeless foreigner, refugee, stateless person, person entitled to asylum)
- Right of residence (Settlement permit, residence permit)
Information on children:
- Names, dates of birth, nationalities of the children
- Indicate whether the children should also be naturalized
Details of parents:
- Names and nationalities of the parents and, if applicable, adoptive parents
Education and professional career:
- School education, vocational training, studies, employment relationships
Language skills and proof of integration:
- Proof of German language skills and civic knowledge (naturalization test)
Information on criminal offenses:
- Information on completed and pending criminal proceedings
The most important points of the naturalization application form are summarized here as a table:
Section | Contents |
|---|---|
Personal details | Name, date of birth, place of residence, profession, contact information |
Marital status and spouse | Marital status, previous marriages, details of spouse |
Status and residence | Nationalities, special status, right of residence |
Information on children | Names, dates of birth, nationalities of the children |
Details of parents | Names and nationalities of the parents |
Education and profession | Education and vocational training, employment relationships |
Language skills | Proof of German language skills and naturalization test |
Criminal offenses | Information on completed and pending criminal proceedings |
Requirements for submitting an application
In order to successfully apply for naturalization, certain requirements must be met. These are described in § 10 StAG and are of both a general and specific nature, depending on your individual situation.
General requirements
- Minimum period of residence in Germany: As a rule, you must have been living legally in Germany for at least 5 years. (with the new EB law which comes into force on 27.6.2024)
- Language skills: Proof of German language skills at level B1 of the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR) is required. There are exceptions in the case of school attendance or vocational training in Germany. These are recognized as a B1 certificate. Foreigners who have lived in Germany legally for a long time have simpler language requirements under the new Naturalization Act.
- Knowledge of the legal and social order: This is usually demonstrated by the naturalization test, in which questions on the German legal and social order are asked.
- Exemption from punishment: You must not have a serious criminal record. You can find the requirements in our blog article on previous convictions at Naturalization.
- Securing a livelihood: You must be able to secure a livelihood for yourself and your family without being financially dependent on the state.
Special integration requirements
Under certain conditions, Naturalization can also be used after 3 years
- C1 language certificate
- Voluntary commitment or other integration services
- Educational or professional achievements
The condition here is that you also meet all the other requirements for Naturalization .
Changes to the naturalization application due to the new law
From 27 June 2024, important changes to the Naturalization Act will come into force that will have a significant impact on the Naturalization process. These reforms aim to facilitate Naturalization and expand access to German citizenship. However, they also bring with them some challenges.
Changes to the requirements
The new Naturalization Act introduces several significant changes to the requirements for naturalization Naturalization:
Shortened length of stay:
- The legal period of residence required for Naturalization is reduced from 8 years to 5 years. This means that you can now apply for German citizenship more quickly if you have lived in Germany for at least 5 years.
Permission for dual citizenship:
- From June 27, 2024, it will be legally permitted to have dual citizenship. You no longer have to give up your previous citizenship. The previous exceptions for dual citizenship under Section 12 StAG will therefore no longer apply. The prerequisite is that your country of origin allows dual citizenship.
Faster Naturalization for special integration services:
- If you can provide evidence of special integration achievements, Naturalization is possible after just 3 years. These achievements can be, for example, outstanding professional success or special social commitment.
All changes are shown here in a table:
Amendment | New requirement |
|---|---|
Length of stay | Shortened from 8 to 5 years |
Dual citizenship | Legally permitted, no renunciation of previous citizenship necessary if the country of origin permits dual citizenship. |
Special integration services | Naturalization possible after 3 years |
Number of naturalization applications will increase
The simplifications and new possibilities in the naturalization process are expected to lead to an increase in naturalization applications. However, this also leads to a number of challenges:
More applications, longer waiting times:
- The changes will automatically lead to more applications. The number of people seeking German citizenship will increase significantly.
Staff shortages at the authorities:
- Despite the expected increase in applications, there is still a shortage of staff at the authorities. There is no improvement in sight, which will lead to longer processing times. This means that applicants will have to be patient, as the waiting times for processing their applications may be extended.
Common mistakes and how to avoid them
A naturalization application can be complex and full of details. To make your application successful and avoid delays or rejections, it is important to know common mistakes and how to avoid them.
Errors in the application
Typical mistakes when making an application can unnecessarily complicate the process and lead to delays. Here are some of the most common mistakes and how you can avoid them:
Incomplete information:
- Error: Applications are often not completed in full.
- Solution: Take the time to answer each question thoroughly. Check the application several times before submitting it.
Incorrect or outdated information:
- Errors: Information that is no longer up-to-date or does not correspond to the truth.
- Solution: Make sure that all information is correct and up to date. Update your details regularly.
Missing signatures:
- Mistake: Forgetting to sign the application or required additional documents.
- Solution: Check the application carefully and make sure that all signatures are present in the designated places.
Non-observance of deadlines:
- Error: overlooking important deadlines for submitting the application or missing documents.
- Solution: Mark important dates in your calendar and submit the application in good time.
Errors in the documents
Errors in the documentssubmitted to Naturalization can also lead to considerable delays.
Here are common problems and how you can avoid them:
Incomplete documents:
Errors: Missing or incomplete documents such as birth certificates or language certificates.
Solution: Create a checklist of all required documents and check that everything is complete before submitting.
Non-certified copies:
Error: Submitting documents that are not officially notarized.
Solution: Have all required documents notarized by a competent authority before submitting them.
Incorrect document formats:
Error: Submission of documents in an unaccepted format (e.g. copies instead of originals).
Solution: Ensure that all documents are in the correct format and meet the authority's requirements.
Obsolete documents:
Error: Submission of documents that are no longer current, such as expired residence permits.
Solution: Check the expiration date of all documents and ensure that they are still valid at the time of submission.
The errors and solutions are summarized in a table below:
Error category | Typical errors | Solutions |
|---|---|---|
Application | Incomplete information | Complete the application thoroughly and check it several times |
Application | Incorrect or outdated information | Keep information up to date |
Application | Missing signatures | Check application carefully for signatures |
Application | Non-observance of deadlines | Mark important dates in the calendar |
Documents | Incomplete documents | Create a checklist and check it before submission |
Documents | Non-certified copies | Have documents notarized |
Documents | Incorrect document formats | Use the correct formats |
Documents | Outdated documents | Checking the validity of documents |
In this article, we explain which requirements are important and why these conditions are crucial. So you are well informed about the Naturalization
Summary and conclusion on the naturalization application
The path to German citizenship begins with a well-prepared application for naturalization. You can see how complex the naturalization application process is in our guide article.
Here we summarize the most important points again and give you an outlook on how you can successfully master the process.
The most important points of the naturalization application
An application for naturalization requires careful preparation and organization of the necessary documents.
Here are the most important aspects you should consider:
Check requirements:
- Make sure that you meet all the legal requirements, such as the minimum length of stay and language skills.
Collect and complete documents:
- Gather all the necessary documents, including birth certificate, residence permit, language certificates, proof of income and criminal record.
Submit application:
- Find the responsible authority and submit your application in person. Please note the processing times.
Dealing with modesty:
- Respond to notices from the authorities, lodge an appeal if necessary and know when an Lawsuit for failure of act can be useful.
Receipt of the naturalization certificate:
- If the decision is positive, an appointment will be made for the ceremonial awarding of the naturalization certificate. With the certificate, you are officially a German citizen.
Conclusion and outlook on the naturalization application
With careful planning and attention to the above steps, the naturalization application can be submitted successfully. Keep the following things in mind when submitting your application:
- Thorough preparation: A complete and correct collection of documents is essential.
- Observe deadlines: Pay attention to all deadlines and submit the application on time.
- Legal support: In case of uncertainty, legal help can facilitate the process and avoid mistakes.
The new legal changes, which come into force on June 27, 2024, offer additional simplifications and opportunities, such as the shortened period of residence and dual citizenship. Take advantage of these opportunities and prepare yourself well to successfully shape your path to German citizenship.
Applying for naturalization is an important step that can be mastered with the right preparation and support. Stay patient, careful and informed to complete the process successfully.
Questions about the naturalization application?
FAQ - The most frequently asked questions about the naturalization application
You apply for naturalization at Naturalization by completing the naturalization form and submitting it together with the required documents to the relevant naturalization authority.
For the Naturalization you need:
- Passport or alternative passport substitute such as identity card or birth certificate
- Proof of authorized Residence permit
- Language certificates (B1 certificate)
- Proof of income
- Police clearance certificate
- Naturalization test certificate (if required)
To be able to apply for German citizenship you need:
- At least 5 years legal residence in Germany
- Proof of German language skills (B1)
- Proof of knowledge of the legal and social order (naturalization test)
- No serious criminal record
- Securing your livelihood
The new laws for Naturalization come into force on June 27, 2024.
You can apply for naturalization at the relevant naturalization authority or the local immigration office in your place of residence.
