Apply for naturalization
Source: BUS Rheinland-PfalzForeign nationals can acquire German citizenship on application under certain conditions. As a rule, the following requirements must be met
- five years of legal residence in Germany
- unlimited right of residence or a permanent residence permit
- clarified identity and nationality
- commitment to the free democratic basic order of the Basic Law for the Federal Republic of Germany and to Germany's special historical responsibility for the National Socialist reign of injustice and its consequences, in particular for the protection of Jewish life as well as for the peaceful coexistence of peoples and the prohibition of waging a war of aggression
- no conviction for a criminal offense
- independent means of subsistence (also for dependent family members) without social assistance and unemployment benefit II. Exceptions apply to persons who have been in full-time employment for at least 20 months in the past 2 years.
- Sufficient knowledge of German
- Knowledge of the legal and social order and living conditions in Germany (civic knowledge)
- No polygamous marriages and no evidence of disregard for equal rights for men and women
You also no longer have to give up your previous nationality. Multiple citizenship is now permitted with the entry into force of the new Citizenship Act on June 27, 2024.
You can find detailed information on the requirements at
Special information for Administrative District Rhein-Lahn-Kreis
The authorities responsible for naturalizations are the district administrations and municipal administrations of the independent cities - in rural districts, the application can also be submitted to the municipal administrations of the independent municipalities, the association municipal administrations and the municipal administrations of the large cities belonging to the district.
The naturalization authorities provide free and non-binding advice. Advice is available regardless of whether an application has been submitted.
The standard fee for naturalization is 255.00 euros, and 51.00 euros for children under the age of majority who are also to be naturalized.
Fees are charged when the application is submitted.
Those interested in naturalization who have reached the age of 16 can apply for naturalization themselves. For younger persons, the legal representatives must apply for naturalization; these are usually the parents.
The naturalization requirements, the procedure and the fees are regulated in the Citizenship Act (StAG). There are further special regulations for stateless and homeless foreigners.
The naturalization test is also regulated by federal law in the Naturalization Test Ordinance.
The naturalization authorities have application forms available. They will also clarify which documents you need to enclose with your application, saving you time and unnecessary queries.
Application forms are also available from the municipal and association municipal administrations in rural districts.
Special information for Administrative District Rhein-Lahn-Kreis
Ministry press release on the planned transitional arrangements in the event of Brexit:
Information on this topic is also available at www.einbuergerung.rlp.de
For online application:
Your responsible office:
Kreisverwaltung Rhein-Lahn-Kreis - Sicherheit, Ordnung und Verkehr
Address
Insel Silberau 1
56130 Bad Ems
56130 Bad Ems
Building access
Lift available, wheelchair accessible
Contact
Telephone
02603 972-0
Fax
02603 972-199
Website
Opening hours
Zulassungsstelle DiezMonday-Friday8:00 a.m.-12:00 hWilhelmstraße 42aThursday14:00 h-17:30 h65582 Diez
Zulassungsstelle NastättenMonday-Friday8:00 h -11:00 hPestalozzistraße 2
56355 Nastätten
Contact person
Address
Insel Silberau 1
56130 Bad Ems
56130 Bad Ems
Telephone
02603 972-523
Fax
02603 972-6523
Website
room
E 19
Visitor address
Insel Silberau 1
56130 Bad Ems
56130 Bad Ems
Telephone
02603 972-363
Fax
02603 972-6363
Website
room
E 15
Address
Insel Silberau 1
56130 Bad Ems
56130 Bad Ems
Telephone
02603 972-128
Fax
02603 972-6128
Website
room
E 18
Responsible for:
- Rhein-Lahn-Kreis:
- Application for a residence permit in the case of a deportation ban
- Apply for German citizenship (for foreigners entitled to naturalization)
- Apply for a residence permit for conditional admission to studies or part-time studies
- Apply for a residence permit for employment as a skilled worker with an academic qualification
- Apply for a residence permit for self-employed persons who have completed their studies or who work as scientists or researchers
- Apply for a residence permit for the purpose of research
- Apply for a residence permit for the purpose of studying
- Apply for a residence permit for the recognition of professional qualifications on the basis of an agreement with the Federal Employment Agency
- Apply for a residence permit to attend a general education school
- Apply for a residence permit to join other family members of a German national
- Apply for a residence permit to look for a job after completing your training
- Apply for a residence permit to participate in language courses or student exchanges
- Apply for a residence permit to participate in the Federal Volunteer Service
- Apply for a settlement permit for holders of a residence permit on the basis of international law, humanitarian or political reasons
- Apply for an accelerated skilled worker procedure
- Apply for an extension of the residence permit to search for a training place in order to carry out qualified vocational training
- Apply for extension of residence permit for conditional admission to studies or part-time studies
- Apply for extension of residence permit for job search for professionals with academic education
- Apply for extension of residence permit for recognition of professional qualification during employment
- Apply for extension of residence permit for the purpose of study application
- Apply for extension of residence permit to attend a general education school
- Apply for extension of the residence permit for a study-related internship EU
- Apply for naturalization
- Apply for settlement permit for highly qualified professionals
- Apply for settlement permit for self-employed
- Applying for a permanent residence card for third-country national family members of EU citizens entitled to freedom of movement
- Applying for a residence permit for cases of exceptional hardship
- Applying for a residence permit for company training and further education for training and further education purposes
- Applying for a residence permit for mobile researchers
- Applying for a residence permit for recognition of professional qualifications during employment
- Applying for a residence permit for refugees
- Applying for a residence permit for the purpose of applying to university
- Applying for a residence permit for the purpose of employment for qualified tolerated persons
- Applying for a residence permit for the purpose of research for beneficiaries of international protection
- Applying for a residence permit for the purpose of school-based vocational training
- Applying for a residence permit for urgent humanitarian or personal reasons
- Applying for a residence permit for victims of a criminal offense under Sections 232 to 233a StGB
- Applying for a residence permit in the case of subsidiary protection
- Applying for a residence permit to carry out a qualification measure with employment
- Applying for a residence permit to look for a job for professionals with academic training
- Applying for a residence permit to participate in the European Voluntary Service
- Applying for a residence permit to take an examination for the recognition of a foreign professional qualification
- Applying for a residence permit to work as a civil servant for a German employer
- Applying for a settlement permit for family members of Germans
- Applying for a settlement permit for holders of an EU Blue Card
- Applying for a settlement permit for underage foreign children
- Applying for an employment permit for persons with tolerated status
- Applying for an employment permit when you are granted a residence permit
- Applying for an extension of a residence permit for the purpose of employment for (formerly) qualified tolerated persons
- Applying for an extension of a residence permit for the purpose of gainful employment for freelancers
- Applying for an extension of a residence permit to look for a job for qualified skilled workers with vocational training
- Applying for an extension of the residence permit for a foreign spouse to join a German spouse
- Applying for an extension of the residence permit for company training and further education
- Applying for an extension of the residence permit for mobile researchers
- Applying for an extension of the residence permit for recognition of professional qualifications based on an agreement with the Federal Employment Agency
- Applying for an extension of the residence permit for the purpose of research
- Applying for an extension of the residence permit for the reunification of other family members with a German citizen
- Applying for an extension of the residence permit for urgent humanitarian or personal reasons
- Applying for an extension of the residence permit to prepare for and study at university
- Applying for an extension of the residence permit to take an examination for the recognition of a foreign professional qualification
- Applying for an extension of your residence permit to take part in the European Voluntary Service
- Applying for an extension of your residence permit to take part in the Federal Volunteer Service
- Applying for asylum
- Co-naturalisation of a minor child Application
- Co-naturalization of spouses Application
- Electronic Residence Permit (eAT) Extension
- Electronic residence permit (eAT) Issuance of address change after relocation
- Electronic residence permit (eAT) Issue in case of name change
- Electronic residence permit (eAT) issuance
- Electronic residence permit (eAT) issued in case of loss or theft
- Extend mobile ICT card
- Extend residence permit due to outstanding qualification measure
- Extend residence permit due to school-based vocational training
- Extend residence permit for children born in Germany
- Extend residence permit for employment as a skilled worker regardless of qualification
- Extend residence permit for employment as a skilled worker with academic training
- Extend residence permit for employment as a skilled worker with vocational training
- Extend residence permit for the family reunification of a foreign minor to the German parent
- Extend residence permit for the immigration of the spouse
- Extend residence permit in the event of a ban on deportation
- Extend residence permit to look for a job after completing your studies
- Extend residence permit to look for a job after recognition of foreign professional qualifications
- Extend residence permit to look for a job after vocational training
- Extend residence permit to search for a job after research activity
- Extend your residence permit
- Extend your residence permit for employment as a civil servant
- Extending a residence permit for employment in the public interest
- Extending a residence permit for the purpose of training
- Extending a residence permit for victims of a crime
- Extending a residence permit on the basis of extensive professional knowledge
- Extending a residence permit to continue studies started in another EU country
- Extending a residence permit to exercise a self-employed activity
- Extending residence permit for exceptional hardship cases
- Extending residence permit for refugees
- Extension of the residence permit for the purpose of research for beneficiaries of international protection
- Foreigners' affairs - End your stay in Germany
- Granting a residence permit Mobile ICT card
- Granting a residence permit for Swiss nationals
- Granting a residence permit for a study-related internship EU
- Granting a residence permit for children born in Germany
- Granting a residence permit for employment as a skilled worker
- Granting a residence permit for employment as a skilled worker regardless of qualification
- Granting a residence permit for employment in the public interest
- Granting a residence permit for family reunification with foreigners
- Granting a residence permit for freelancers
- Granting a residence permit for long-term residents in other EU member states
- Granting a residence permit for skilled workers with vocational training to look for a job
- Granting a residence permit for the family reunification of a foreign minor to the German parent
- Granting a residence permit for the family reunification of a foreign parent with a German minor
- Granting a residence permit for the parents to join a minor foreigner
- Granting a residence permit on the basis of extensive professional knowledge
- Granting a residence permit to carry out a qualification measure
- Granting a residence permit to carry out vocational training
- Granting a residence permit to continue a course of study started in another EU country
- Granting a residence permit to look for a job after graduation
- Granting a residence permit to look for a job after recognition of foreign professional qualifications
- Granting a residence permit to look for a job after research work
- Granting a residence permit to pursue a self-employed activity
- Issue a border crossing certificate (GÜB)
- Issue a residence permit for the reunification of parents and other family members
- Issue residence permit for the immigration of the spouse
- Issuing a settlement permit
- Permit for permanent residence-EG
- Request change of conditions for employment in case of residence permit
- Request change or cancellation of the residence regulation of the residence permit
- Residence permit due to displacement
- Residence permit for family reasons Issued for the family reunification of a foreign spouse with a German national
- Residence permit for the purpose of gainful employment Extension for self-employed former scientists and researchers
- Settlement permit for recognised persons entitled to asylum and refugees
- Submit details for the issue of a residence card for family members of EU/EEA citizens (except Germany) and EEA citizens
Address
Insel Silberau 1
56130 Bad Ems
56130 Bad Ems
Telephone
02603 972-127
Fax
02603 972-6127
Website
room
E 22
Responsible for:
- Rhein-Lahn-Kreis:
- Application for a residence permit in the case of a deportation ban
- Apply for German citizenship (for foreigners entitled to naturalization)
- Apply for a residence permit for conditional admission to studies or part-time studies
- Apply for a residence permit for employment as a skilled worker with an academic qualification
- Apply for a residence permit for self-employed persons who have completed their studies or who work as scientists or researchers
- Apply for a residence permit for the purpose of research
- Apply for a residence permit for the purpose of studying
- Apply for a residence permit for the recognition of professional qualifications on the basis of an agreement with the Federal Employment Agency
- Apply for a residence permit to attend a general education school
- Apply for a residence permit to join other family members of a German national
- Apply for a residence permit to look for a job after completing your training
- Apply for a residence permit to participate in language courses or student exchanges
- Apply for a residence permit to participate in the Federal Volunteer Service
- Apply for a settlement permit for holders of a residence permit on the basis of international law, humanitarian or political reasons
- Apply for an accelerated skilled worker procedure
- Apply for an extension of the residence permit to search for a training place in order to carry out qualified vocational training
- Apply for extension of residence permit for conditional admission to studies or part-time studies
- Apply for extension of residence permit for job search for professionals with academic education
- Apply for extension of residence permit for recognition of professional qualification during employment
- Apply for extension of residence permit for the purpose of study application
- Apply for extension of residence permit to attend a general education school
- Apply for extension of the residence permit for a study-related internship EU
- Apply for naturalization
- Apply for settlement permit for highly qualified professionals
- Apply for settlement permit for self-employed
- Applying for a permanent residence card for third-country national family members of EU citizens entitled to freedom of movement
- Applying for a residence permit for cases of exceptional hardship
- Applying for a residence permit for company training and further education for training and further education purposes
- Applying for a residence permit for mobile researchers
- Applying for a residence permit for recognition of professional qualifications during employment
- Applying for a residence permit for refugees
- Applying for a residence permit for the purpose of applying to university
- Applying for a residence permit for the purpose of employment for qualified tolerated persons
- Applying for a residence permit for the purpose of research for beneficiaries of international protection
- Applying for a residence permit for the purpose of school-based vocational training
- Applying for a residence permit for urgent humanitarian or personal reasons
- Applying for a residence permit for victims of a criminal offense under Sections 232 to 233a StGB
- Applying for a residence permit in the case of subsidiary protection
- Applying for a residence permit to carry out a qualification measure with employment
- Applying for a residence permit to look for a job for professionals with academic training
- Applying for a residence permit to participate in the European Voluntary Service
- Applying for a residence permit to take an examination for the recognition of a foreign professional qualification
- Applying for a residence permit to work as a civil servant for a German employer
- Applying for a settlement permit for family members of Germans
- Applying for a settlement permit for holders of an EU Blue Card
- Applying for a settlement permit for underage foreign children
- Applying for an employment permit for persons with tolerated status
- Applying for an employment permit when you are granted a residence permit
- Applying for an extension of a residence permit for the purpose of employment for (formerly) qualified tolerated persons
- Applying for an extension of a residence permit for the purpose of gainful employment for freelancers
- Applying for an extension of a residence permit to look for a job for qualified skilled workers with vocational training
- Applying for an extension of the residence permit for a foreign spouse to join a German spouse
- Applying for an extension of the residence permit for company training and further education
- Applying for an extension of the residence permit for mobile researchers
- Applying for an extension of the residence permit for recognition of professional qualifications based on an agreement with the Federal Employment Agency
- Applying for an extension of the residence permit for the purpose of research
- Applying for an extension of the residence permit for the reunification of other family members with a German citizen
- Applying for an extension of the residence permit for urgent humanitarian or personal reasons
- Applying for an extension of the residence permit to prepare for and study at university
- Applying for an extension of the residence permit to take an examination for the recognition of a foreign professional qualification
- Applying for an extension of your residence permit to take part in the European Voluntary Service
- Applying for an extension of your residence permit to take part in the Federal Volunteer Service
- Applying for asylum
- Co-naturalisation of a minor child Application
- Co-naturalization of spouses Application
- Electronic Residence Permit (eAT) Extension
- Electronic residence permit (eAT) Issuance of address change after relocation
- Electronic residence permit (eAT) Issue in case of name change
- Electronic residence permit (eAT) issuance
- Electronic residence permit (eAT) issued in case of loss or theft
- Extend mobile ICT card
- Extend residence permit due to outstanding qualification measure
- Extend residence permit due to school-based vocational training
- Extend residence permit for children born in Germany
- Extend residence permit for employment as a skilled worker regardless of qualification
- Extend residence permit for employment as a skilled worker with academic training
- Extend residence permit for employment as a skilled worker with vocational training
- Extend residence permit for the family reunification of a foreign minor to the German parent
- Extend residence permit for the immigration of the spouse
- Extend residence permit in the event of a ban on deportation
- Extend residence permit to look for a job after completing your studies
- Extend residence permit to look for a job after recognition of foreign professional qualifications
- Extend residence permit to look for a job after vocational training
- Extend residence permit to search for a job after research activity
- Extend your residence permit
- Extend your residence permit for employment as a civil servant
- Extending a residence permit for employment in the public interest
- Extending a residence permit for the purpose of training
- Extending a residence permit for victims of a crime
- Extending a residence permit on the basis of extensive professional knowledge
- Extending a residence permit to continue studies started in another EU country
- Extending a residence permit to exercise a self-employed activity
- Extending residence permit for exceptional hardship cases
- Extending residence permit for refugees
- Extension of the residence permit for the purpose of research for beneficiaries of international protection
- Foreigners' affairs - End your stay in Germany
- Granting a residence permit Mobile ICT card
- Granting a residence permit for Swiss nationals
- Granting a residence permit for a study-related internship EU
- Granting a residence permit for children born in Germany
- Granting a residence permit for employment as a skilled worker
- Granting a residence permit for employment as a skilled worker regardless of qualification
- Granting a residence permit for employment in the public interest
- Granting a residence permit for family reunification with foreigners
- Granting a residence permit for freelancers
- Granting a residence permit for long-term residents in other EU member states
- Granting a residence permit for skilled workers with vocational training to look for a job
- Granting a residence permit for the family reunification of a foreign minor to the German parent
- Granting a residence permit for the family reunification of a foreign parent with a German minor
- Granting a residence permit for the parents to join a minor foreigner
- Granting a residence permit on the basis of extensive professional knowledge
- Granting a residence permit to carry out a qualification measure
- Granting a residence permit to carry out vocational training
- Granting a residence permit to continue a course of study started in another EU country
- Granting a residence permit to look for a job after graduation
- Granting a residence permit to look for a job after recognition of foreign professional qualifications
- Granting a residence permit to look for a job after research work
- Granting a residence permit to pursue a self-employed activity
- Issue a border crossing certificate (GÜB)
- Issue a residence permit for the reunification of parents and other family members
- Issue residence permit for the immigration of the spouse
- Issuing a settlement permit
- Loss/retention of German citizenship
- Nationality card
- Option obligation
- Permit for permanent residence-EG
- Request change of conditions for employment in case of residence permit
- Request change or cancellation of the residence regulation of the residence permit
- Residence permit due to displacement
- Residence permit for family reasons Issued for the family reunification of a foreign spouse with a German national
- Residence permit for the purpose of gainful employment Extension for self-employed former scientists and researchers
- Settlement permit for recognised persons entitled to asylum and refugees
- Submit details for the issue of a residence card for family members of EU/EEA citizens (except Germany) and EEA citizens
Address
Insel Silberau 1
56130 Bad Ems
Remark:
Building: Rhein-Lahn district administration
56130 Bad Ems
Remark:
Building: Rhein-Lahn district administration
Telephone
02603 972-524
Fax
02603 972-6524
Website
room
E 15
Responsible for:
- Rhein-Lahn-Kreis:
- Apply for German citizenship (for foreigners entitled to naturalization)
- Apply for a residence permit for self-employed persons who have completed their studies or who work as scientists or researchers
- Apply for a residence permit for the purpose of studying
- Apply for a residence permit to look for a job after completing your training
- Apply for a residence permit to participate in language courses or student exchanges
- Apply for naturalization
- Applying for a permanent residence card for third-country national family members of EU citizens entitled to freedom of movement
- Applying for a residence permit for mobile researchers
- Applying for a residence permit to carry out a qualification measure with employment
- Applying for a residence permit to look for a job for professionals with academic training
- Applying for a residence permit to participate in the European Voluntary Service
- Applying for a settlement permit for family members of Germans
- Applying for a settlement permit for holders of an EU Blue Card
- Applying for a settlement permit for underage foreign children
- Applying for an employment permit for persons with tolerated status
- Applying for an employment permit when you are granted a residence permit
- Applying for an extension of a residence permit for the purpose of employment for (formerly) qualified tolerated persons
- Applying for an extension of a residence permit for the purpose of gainful employment for freelancers
- Applying for an extension of a residence permit to look for a job for qualified skilled workers with vocational training
- Applying for an extension of the residence permit for mobile researchers
- Applying for an extension of the residence permit for the purpose of research
- Applying for an extension of the residence permit for urgent humanitarian or personal reasons
- Applying for an extension of your residence permit to take part in the European Voluntary Service
- Co-naturalisation of a minor child Application
- Co-naturalization of spouses Application
- Electronic Residence Permit (eAT) Extension
- Electronic residence permit (eAT) Issuance of address change after relocation
- Electronic residence permit (eAT) Issue in case of name change
- Electronic residence permit (eAT) issued in case of loss or theft
- Extend your residence permit
- Extend your residence permit for employment as a civil servant
- Extension of the residence permit for the purpose of research for beneficiaries of international protection
- Foreigners' affairs - End your stay in Germany
- Granting a residence permit for children born in Germany
- Granting a residence permit for employment in the public interest
- Issue a border crossing certificate (GÜB)
- Issue a residence permit for the reunification of parents and other family members
- Option obligation
- Settlement permit for recognised persons entitled to asylum and refugees
- Submit details for the issue of a residence card for family members of EU/EEA citizens (except Germany) and EEA citizens
Visitor address
Wilhelmsallee 8
56130 Bad Ems
Remark:
Branch office Haus Löwenstein
56130 Bad Ems
Remark:
Branch office Haus Löwenstein
Visitor address
Insel Silberau 1
56130 Bad Ems
56130 Bad Ems
Telephone
02603 972-427
Fax
02603 972-6427
Website
room
E 14
Responsible for:
- Rhein-Lahn-Kreis:
- Apply for German citizenship (for foreigners entitled to naturalization)
- Apply for a residence permit for self-employed persons who have completed their studies or who work as scientists or researchers
- Apply for a residence permit for the purpose of studying
- Apply for a residence permit to look for a job after completing your training
- Apply for a residence permit to participate in language courses or student exchanges
- Apply for naturalization
- Applying for a permanent residence card for third-country national family members of EU citizens entitled to freedom of movement
- Applying for a residence permit for mobile researchers
- Applying for a residence permit to carry out a qualification measure with employment
- Applying for a residence permit to look for a job for professionals with academic training
- Applying for a residence permit to participate in the European Voluntary Service
- Applying for a settlement permit for family members of Germans
- Applying for a settlement permit for holders of an EU Blue Card
- Applying for a settlement permit for underage foreign children
- Applying for an employment permit for persons with tolerated status
- Applying for an employment permit when you are granted a residence permit
- Applying for an extension of a residence permit for the purpose of employment for (formerly) qualified tolerated persons
- Applying for an extension of a residence permit for the purpose of gainful employment for freelancers
- Applying for an extension of a residence permit to look for a job for qualified skilled workers with vocational training
- Applying for an extension of the residence permit for mobile researchers
- Applying for an extension of the residence permit for the purpose of research
- Applying for an extension of the residence permit for urgent humanitarian or personal reasons
- Applying for an extension of your residence permit to take part in the European Voluntary Service
- Co-naturalisation of a minor child Application
- Co-naturalization of spouses Application
- Electronic Residence Permit (eAT) Extension
- Electronic residence permit (eAT) Issuance of address change after relocation
- Electronic residence permit (eAT) Issue in case of name change
- Electronic residence permit (eAT) issued in case of loss or theft
- Extend your residence permit
- Extend your residence permit for employment as a civil servant
- Extension of the residence permit for the purpose of research for beneficiaries of international protection
- Foreigners' affairs - End your stay in Germany
- Granting a residence permit for children born in Germany
- Granting a residence permit for employment in the public interest
- Issue a border crossing certificate (GÜB)
- Issue a residence permit for the reunification of parents and other family members
- Option obligation
- Settlement permit for recognised persons entitled to asylum and refugees
- Submit details for the issue of a residence card for family members of EU/EEA citizens (except Germany) and EEA citizens