Administrative services A-Z

Forms available: Yes
Written form required: No
Informal application possible: Yes
Personal appearance required: Yes

With naturalization you receive German citizenship. This means that you become an equal citizen of the Federal Republic of Germany with all rights and obligations.

Among other things, you can

• exercise your right to vote in the federal states and for the German Bundestag,
• enjoy freedom of movement within the European Union as a citizen of the Union, and
• can also travel outside Europe to many countries without a visa.

If you have been stateless since birth in Germany, you are entitled to acquire German citizenship through naturalization under certain conditions.

Stateless persons are persons whom no state regards as nationals on the basis of its law.

For this you must

• have been born in the Federal Republic of Germany as a stateless person,
• have resided legally and permanently in Germany for at least 5 years, and
• have filed the application before reaching the age of 21.

The claim is excluded if you have been legally sentenced to a custodial or juvenile sentence of more than 5 years.

If you are being investigated on suspicion of a criminal offense, the naturalization procedure remains suspended until the conclusion of the proceedings.

The naturalization becomes effective by delivery of the naturalization certificate. The competent authority is the citizenship authority of your place of residence.

• You must apply for naturalization before your 21st birthday.
• You must
  • be at least 16 years old or
  • be legally represented.
• You have been stateless since birth.
• You were born in Germany.
• You have resided legally and permanently in Germany for at least 5 years.
• You have not been sentenced to a custodial or juvenile sentence of more than 5 years.
• You are not being investigated on suspicion of a criminal offense.
  • If you have, the naturalization procedure remains suspended until the criminal proceedings have been completed.

• valid travel document for stateless persons
• valid residence permit
• birth certificate
• for persons under 16 years of age:
  • Proof of legal representation
  • in case of joint parental care of the parents only declaration of consent of the other parent with custody rights

Caution Payment: 255 EUR (fix)
Vorkasse: Ja

You can submit your application for naturalization in writing to the relevant office:

• Fill out the application completely and submit it by mail with the required documents.
• The competent office will review your application and decide whether you meet the requirements for naturalization.
• If you meet the requirements, you will finally receive a naturalization certificate. With this certificate you acquire German citizenship.

Deadline type: Application deadline
Comment (for more information on the deadline): You must submit the application by your 21st birthday.

Citizenship authority of the respective place of residence

• Article 2 Law on the Reduction of Statelessness – (StaatenlMindÜbkG)

• Information on obtaining German citizenship can be found on the website of the Federal Government Commissioner for Integration

Federal Ministry of the Interior and Home Affairs (BMI)