Apply for naturalization on the basis of marriage or registered partnership with a person who has German citizenship

Source: BUS Rheinland-Pfalz

Naturalization gives you German citizenship and makes you an equal citizen of the Federal Republic of Germany with all rights and obligations.

With German citizenship you can, among other things:

Exercise your right to vote in the municipalities, in the federal states and for the German Bundestag
enjoy freedom of movement within the European Union (EU), i.e.
- move freely within the EU
- be employed or self-employed in the EU
travel to many countries outside the EU without a visa

You can be naturalized more easily if you are married or in a registered civil partnership with a person who has German citizenship.

Conditions for naturalization:

You have been living legally in Germany for 3 years
Your marriage must be valid in Germany
the marriage must have existed for 2 years at the time of naturalization, during which time the spouse or civil partner must have held German citizenship.

You must also fulfill other requirements, for example

You have an unlimited right of residence, for example a settlement permit or another permanent residence title.
You are able to support yourself and your dependent family members without receiving certain public benefits.
You have sufficient knowledge of the German language, at least at level B1.

If you are a parent with custody of a minor child with German citizenship from a marriage or registered civil partnership and live in a family relationship, you can also apply for simplified naturalization in the following cases:

up to one year after death
- of the German wife or husband
- of the German civil partner
up to one year after the legally binding termination of a marriage or civil partnership

You acquire German citizenship when you receive your naturalization certificate.

You must be married or in a registered civil partnership with a person who has been a German citizen for at least 2 years.
The marriage or registered civil partnership must be valid in Germany and have existed for 2 years.
You must have been living legally in Germany for 3 years. This period can be shortened under certain circumstances if the marriage or registered civil partnership has existed for 3 years.
Your identity and nationality must be clarified.
You have the capacity to act or are legally represented. Capacity to act means, for example, that you can conclude contracts.
At the time of naturalization you have
- an unlimited right of residence, for example a settlement permit, or
- another permanent residence permit
A residence permit for the purpose of studying, for example, is not suitable for naturalization.
You are able to support yourself and your dependent family members without receiving certain public benefits.
You have not been convicted of a criminal offense.
- If you are currently under investigation on suspicion of a criminal offence, the citizenship authority will suspend the naturalization procedure until the proceedings have been concluded.
You have sufficient knowledge of the German language, at least at level B1. This does not apply if you are unable to meet this requirement due to a physical, mental or psychological illness or disability or due to age.
You have civic knowledge, which you usually prove by taking a naturalization test. This is not required if you are unable to meet this requirement due to a physical, mental or psychological illness or disability, or due to age.
You are not married to more than one person at the same time.
You are committed to the free democratic basic order of the Basic Law and make a declaration of loyalty. This means
- You do not support any anti-constitutional or extremist activities
- if you have supported such activities in the past, you must have credibly renounced them.
You acknowledge Germany's special historical responsibility for the unjust National Socialist regime and its consequences, in particular
- for the protection of Jewish life and
- to the peaceful coexistence of peoples and the prohibition of waging a war of aggression

Valid passport or official identity document with photograph
Valid residence permit
Documents relating to civil status, for example
- birth certificate
- marriage certificate
- Divorce decree or death certificate, with translation, legalization or apostille, if applicable
  - of the previous wife or husband or
  - of the previous civil partner
Proof of German citizenship of the spouse or civil partner, for example
- German passport
- German identity card
- extended registration information
- certificate of naturalization
school, vocational, training or study qualifications obtained in Germany
if you are a pupil: current school certificate
if you are a student: current certificate of study
if you are employed: Employment contract and proof of income
if you receive a pension: Pension certificate and pension insurance history, which you will receive from Deutsche Rentenversicherung
if you are self-employed:
- Business registration
- Current income tax assessment notice
- Proof of the profit made, for example by means of an informal certificate from the tax office about the net income or a business analysis
rental agreement
Proof of health insurance cover
Proof of pension provision, for example
- real estate ownership
- private life insurance
- pension insurance
Proof of sufficient German language skills, for example with a B1 certificate
Proof of civic knowledge, for example with the "Living in Germany/Naturalization Test" certificate
At a personal interview, please hand in
- Your commitment to the free democratic basic order and
- your commitment to Germany's special historical responsibility for the unjust National Socialist regime and its consequences and
- the signed declaration of loyalty
Further documents may be required depending on the individual case

Apply for naturalization on the basis of marriage or registered partnership with a person who has German citizenship

Requirements

Which documents are required?

Legal basis

What else should I know?

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