Upon naturalization, you will acquire German citizenship and become a citizen of the Federal Republic of Germany with equal rights and obligations.

With German citizenship, you can, among other things,

• exercise your right to vote in local elections, state elections, elections to the German Bundestag, and elections to the European Parliament.
• enjoy freedom of movement within the European Union (EU), meaning
  • move freely within the EU,
  • work as an employee or self-employed person within the EU, and
  • travel to many countries outside the EU without a visa.

Naturalization takes effect upon receipt of the naturalization certificate. The competent authority is the citizenship office in your place of residence.

Your competent citizenship/naturalization authorities.

• Application for Naturalization
• Valid passport or official photo ID
• Valid residence permit
• Civil status documents, for example:
  • Birth certificate
  • Marriage certificate
  • If applicable, divorce decree or death certificate, with translation, legalization, or apostille if required
    • of the previous spouse or
    • the previous registered partner
• if you are in school: current school enrollment certificate
• if you are a college student: current certificate of enrollment
• If you are employed: employment contract and proof of income
• if you receive a pension: pension notice and pension insurance history, which you can obtain from the German Pension Insurance
• If you are self-employed, for example:
  • current income tax assessment
  • Proof of profit earned, for example, through an informal certificate from the tax office regarding net income or a business analysis
  • Proof of health insurance coverage
  • Proof of retirement savings, in particular:
    • Real estate ownership
    • Private life insurance
    • Pension insurance
  • Business registration
• Rental agreement, if applicable
• Proof of sufficient German language proficiency at least at the B1 level, for example, with a B1 certificate or a school, vocational, apprenticeship, or university degree obtained in Germany
• Proof of knowledge of German civic education, for example, by successfully passing a naturalization test, scoring at least 17 points on the “Life in Germany” test, or holding a school, vocational, apprenticeship, or university degree obtained in Germany
• When you come in person, please submit:
  • Your commitment to the free democratic basic order and
  • your commitment to Germany’s special historical responsibility for the Nazi regime of injustice and its consequences, as well as
  • your declaration of loyalty
• For minors: Proof of custody, for example, in the case of divorced or unmarried parents, through a custody order
• In cases of joint parental custody: a declaration of consent from the other parent with custody
• Additional documents may be required depending on the individual case

Notes:

• The competent authority may grant a fee reduction or exemption on grounds of equity or public interest.
• Additional costs may apply for obtaining documents, translations, and certifications.
• Additional transfer fees may apply for transfers from a foreign account. 

• Administrative fee: 255.00 EUR
  Applies to naturalization per person; also applies to minors who are being naturalized on their own
• Administrative fee: 25.00 EUR – 51.00 EUR
  Applies in the event of a denial notice for a minor child to be naturalized along with the applicant
• Administrative fee: 25.00 EUR – 255.00 EUR
  Applies in the event of a denial notice for adults
• Administrative fee: 51.00 EUR
  Applies to a minor child who is naturalized with both parents or one parent