Apply for naturalization for former Germans abroad

You or your authorized person can apply for re-naturalization in writing or by appointment in person at your responsible German mission abroad or in writing at the Federal Office of Administration (BVA).

Written application:

• You can receive all the necessary information about the application and required documents or papers in advance by e-mail, telephone or in a personal meeting on site at your competent German mission abroad (appointment).
• You can download the application form directly from the BVA website.
• Fill out the application form completely and sign it.
• Submit the signed application by mail or in person together with the required documents to your responsible German mission abroad.
• Contacting the German mission abroad is not obligatory. You can also submit the application with all documents directly to the BVA. However, contacting and submitting the application via the German mission abroad is recommended, as the mission must issue a statement on your application.
• The BVA will check your application and inform you if further documents and information are required for the processing of the application.

Conclusion of the procedure (in writing):

• After the decision, you will receive a request for payment of the procedure fee. If your application is approved, the BVA will send your naturalization certificate to your competent German mission abroad. They will inform you about the further procedure for the delivery of the naturalization certificate.
• If the Federal Office of Administration (BVA) rejects your application, you will usually also receive a rejection notice via your competent German mission abroad.

• Proof of parentage and identity
  

  by for example:
  

  • foreign identity documents, for example:
    - passport
    - identity card
    - alien's identity card
    - birth certificate of the applicant
    - marriage certificate
  • Proof of previous possession of German citizenship, for example:
    - German identity documents (for example: passport, children's identity card, identity card, naturalization certificates, citizenship cards/home registration certificates, excerpt from the German register of residents)
  • Proof of loss of German citizenship, for example:
    - Foreign naturalization certificates
    - Proof of acquisition/possession of further citizenships
    
  • Other helpful documents (if applicable):
    - Name change certificates/certificates
    - Documents on custody (for applications of children under 16 years of age)
    - Certificates of graduation from German schools
• Evidence of close ties to Germany
  

  All circumstances that prove close ties to Germany are favorable for the discretionary decision, for example:
  

  • long-standing close contact with relatives and friends in Germany,
  • longer and/or regular stays in Germany,
  • property ownership in Germany,
  • school graduation or vocational training in Germany,
  • membership in German cultural associations,
  • work for German authorities, companies or organizations.
• Evidence on other relevant circumstances
  

  Other circumstances will be considered in the decision:
  

  • Ability to support yourself: you must be able to support yourself and your family in your country of residence without government assistance. This also includes sufficient insurance against illness, need for care, occupational disability or incapacity to work and for old age.
  • Circumstances of the loss of German citizenship
• Notes on the documents
  

  Please attach the documents and evidence as officially or notarially certified copies, unless otherwise stated.

  Documents and evidence in foreign languages must be accompanied by a translation by a sworn translator.

• Forms on the BVA website
  

255,00 EUR Naturalization certificate for adults
51,00 EUR Naturalization certificate for minor child (up to the age of 18)
Refusal notice for adults (rejection of the application): EUR 25.00 to EUR 255.00
Rejection notice for minor child (rejection of application): EUR 25.00 to EUR 51.00
Notice:
Please keep in mind that you may incur additional costs for obtaining documents, translations and certifications.

What deadlines must be paid attention to?

none

How long does it take to process

For processing the application: usually 12 to18 months. Depending on the individual case, extensive investigations must be carried out.

• § 13 Staatsangehörigkeitsgesetz (StAG)

• Detaillierte Informationen zur Einbürgerung in den Merkblättern des BVA
• Merkblätter und Hinweise zur Wiedereinbürgerung auf der Internetseite des BVA
• Vordrucke und Informationen für die Wiedereinbürgerung ehemaliger Deutscher auf der Internetseite des BVA