Basic suitability as an applicant
Status as a foreigner
An application for naturalization can be made by anyone who does not already have German citizenship. In this sense, you are considered a foreigner, even if you are stateless.
Your residence status in Germany
Most applications for naturalization require that you have your legal and habitual residence in Germany. These two aspects are checked by the authorities.
The habitual residence
You have your habitual residence where the center of your life is. It is therefore not just a question of temporary residence, but of living in Germany for an indefinite period of time and having your social and economic ties here.
Legal residence
Your residence is legal if you have a valid residence permit. This can be, for example, a settlement permit, an EU Blue Card or another form of residence permit. As an EU citizen or Swiss national, you also generally meet this requirement.
Clarification of your identity and nationality
Why is this so important?
A very important prerequisite for submitting an application is that your identity and your previous nationality have been established beyond doubt. The authorities need to know exactly who you are before naturalization can take place. This includes your full name, date of birth and place of birth.
How do you prove your identity?
The ideal case: Official documents
The easiest way to provide proof is with valid official documents. This primarily includes your national passport or identity card from your country of origin. Birth certificates or other civil status certificates are also important documents.
What if official documents are missing?
We know that it is not always possible to obtain all official documents. However, this does not mean that naturalization is impossible. The law provides for a multi-stage process to clarify your identity even in difficult cases.
Other evidence
If you lack official documents, other evidence can also be used. This can be, for example, non-official documents, witness statements from relatives or acquaintances or other evidence that supports your personal details.
Your own information
If it is also not possible or unreasonable to obtain other evidence, your identity can also be considered proven in the final step on the basis of your own conclusive and credible information. A comprehensive assessment of your entire life story and the documents submitted is crucial here.
Your duty to cooperate
You are obliged to cooperate in clarifying your identity throughout the entire procedure. This means that you should take all possible and reasonable steps to provide the necessary documents and information.
Your ability to submit the application yourself (capacity to act)
The age limit of 16 years
There is a special feature of citizenship law: as soon as you reach the age of 16, you are able to independently apply for naturalization and make all the necessary declarations. The consent of your parents or other legal representatives is not required.
What applies to children under the age of 16?
For children who have not yet reached the age of 16, the application for naturalization is submitted by their legal representatives, usually the custodial parents.
What applies to care?
If legal guardianship has been established for an adult applicant, which also includes matters relating to citizenship, the guardian submits the application.
The naturalization application
How is the application made?
An application for naturalization has no legally prescribed form. It can therefore also be submitted informally. However, it is strongly recommended that you use the application forms provided by the authorities. This ensures that all information required for the decision is provided in full.
What does the authority check?
When you submit an application, the authorities are obliged to examine all possible legal bases for naturalization. It is therefore not limited to a specific basis for entitlement that you may have had in mind, but also comprehensively examines which path to naturalization is possible for you.
Special cases: Naturalization from abroad
Even if you do not live in Germany, it may be possible to apply for naturalization under certain circumstances.
For former Germans
If you previously held German citizenship and now live abroad, you can apply for re-naturalization under simplified conditions. This also applies to your underage children.
For other foreigners with strong ties
Even if you have never held German citizenship but can prove special ties to Germany, naturalization from abroad may be an option. Such ties can, for example, be based on longer previous stays, close family relationships with Germans or special professional or cultural achievements for Germany.