Apply for naturalisation on the basis of marriage or a registered civil partnership with a person who holds German nationality

Please contact your district or independent city.

• You must be married to, or in a registered civil partnership with, a person who has held German nationality for at least two years.
• The marriage or registered partnership must be valid in Germany and must have existed for two years.
• You must have been living legally in Germany for 3 years. This period may be shortened in certain circumstances if the marriage or registered civil partnership has lasted for 3 years.
• Their identity and nationality must be established.
• You have legal capacity or are legally represented. Legal capacity means, for example, that you are able to enter into contracts.
• At the time of naturalisation, you must
  • a right of residence for an indefinite period, for example a settlement permit, or
  • another long-term residence permit
• For example, a residence permit issued for the purpose of studying is not eligible for naturalisation.
• You are able to support yourself and any dependants without having to claim certain state benefits.
• They have not been convicted of a criminal offence by a final judgement.
  • If you are currently under investigation on suspicion of a criminal offence, the Nationality Authority will suspend the naturalisation procedure until the investigation has been concluded.
• You must have a sufficient command of the German language, at least at B1 level. This requirement may be waived if you are unable to meet it due to a physical, mental or psychological illness or disability, or for reasons of age.
• You must have a knowledge of citizenship, which you will normally demonstrate by sitting a naturalisation test. This requirement is waived if you are unable to meet it due to a physical, mental or psychological illness or disability, or due to your age.
• You are not married to more than one person at the same time.
• They pledge their commitment to the free democratic basic order enshrined in the Basic Law and make a declaration of loyalty. This means that,
  • They do not support any anti-constitutional or extremist activities
  • If you have supported such activities in the past, you must have credibly distanced yourself from them.
• They acknowledge Germany’s particular historical responsibility for the Nazi regime of oppression and its consequences, in particular
  • for the protection of Jewish life, and
  • on the peaceful coexistence of peoples and the prohibition of waging wars of aggression

• a valid passport or official identity document with a photograph
• valid residence permit
• Civil status documents, for example:
  • Birth certificate
  • Marriage certificate
  • where applicable, a divorce decree or death certificate, with a translation, legalisation or apostille where required
    • the former wife or former husband, or
    • their former partner
• Evidence of German nationality of the spouse or civil partner, for example
  • German passport
  • German identity card
  • detailed registration information
  • Certificate of naturalisation
• school, vocational, training or higher education qualifications obtained in Germany
• if you are a pupil: a current school certificate
• if you are a student: a current certificate of enrolment
• if you are in employment: your employment contract and proof of income
• if you are in receipt of a pension: your pension notification and pension insurance history, which you will receive from the German Pension Insurance Scheme
• if you are self-employed:
  • Business registration
  • latest income tax assessment
  • Proof of the profit made, for example in the form of an informal certificate from the tax office stating net income or a business analysis
• Rental agreement
• Proof of health insurance cover
• Proof of pension provision, for example
  • Property ownership
  • private life insurance
  • Pension insurance
• Proof of sufficient German language skills, for example by means of a B1 certificate
• Proof of knowledge of citizenship, for example through the ‘Living in Germany/Naturalisation Test’ certificate
• When you attend in person, please hand over:
  • Their commitment to the free democratic basic order and
  • Their commitment to acknowledging Germany’s special historical responsibility for the Nazi regime of oppression and its consequences, as well as
  • the signed declaration of loyalty
• Additional documents may be required depending on the individual case

• Section 9 of the Nationality Act (StAG)

There are no indications or special features.

Federal Ministry of the Interior and Homeland Affairs (BMI)