Source: BUS Sachsen-Anhalt (Linie6PLus)

Naturalisation

Description

Saxony-Anhalt welcomes, supports and encourages those foreigners who want to live here permanently and acquire German citizenship. In order to obtain a German passport, one can become a naturalized citizen. In this way, one acquires German citizenship and can participate in social and political life on an equal footing.

Naturalization brings many advantages for you. You are free to choose your profession, you are given the right to vote, you can be elected yourself, you receive protection against expulsion and extradition and you can receive consular protection abroad at any time from the German missions abroad. In addition, as a German, you can travel to many other countries without a visa.

Which documents are required?

Which documents are required depends on the individual case.

As a rule, a certified copy or a photocopy of the original is sufficient for the documents.
The original civil status documents and passport must be submitted.
In the case of foreign-language documents, a translation is also required.

Note: Seek advice from the naturalisation authority at an early stage on which documents you need to submit.

What are the fees?

There are fees for naturalization. If the application is withdrawn or rejected, the fee is reduced.

In individual cases, additional costs may be incurred for the submission of civil status certificates, proof of civic knowledge, language skills and for the renunciation of previous citizenship.

Administration Fee: 51,00 EUR
Payment in advance: No
Fee for the co-naturalisation of minor children without their own income

Administration Fee: 255,00 EUR
Payment in advance: No
Fee for naturalization

What deadlines do I have to pay attention to?

Deadlines may have to be observed. Please contact the competent authority.

Applications / forms

The objection and specialist supervisory authority is the State Administration Office.

Who should I contact?

Naturalization authorities are the districts and independent cities. Contact the naturalization authority of the district or independent city in whose area you live.

If you live in Dessau-Roßlau, Halle (Saale) or Magdeburg, the city administration is responsible for naturalization.
If you live in a municipality belonging to the district, the district administration is the naturalization authority.

Appeal

For naturalization, you must submit a written application. If you have reached the age of 16, you can apply for naturalization yourself. If you are not yet 16 years old, the legal representatives - usually the parents - must submit the application.

Hint: Before you apply, you should have a consultation with your naturalization office. This may save you time and unnecessary queries.

Your naturalization authority will try to process your naturalization application quickly upon presentation of all the necessary documents. Under certain circumstances, it may take a long time before naturalization, as the procedure for release from the previous citizenship is often time-consuming.

Note: Inthe naturalization procedure, you are obliged to cooperate.

If your naturalization requires the renunciation of your previous citizenship, you will receive an assurance of naturalization if all other requirements are met. This will allow you to take the necessary steps for release from your previous citizenship. The naturalization assurance is generally valid for two years and can be extended if necessary.

What else should I know?

The certificate of naturalization will be handed over to you personally in a naturalization ceremony. In the course of the naturalization ceremony, you will verbally solemnly declare that you respect the Basic Law and the laws of the Federal Republic of Germany and will refrain from doing anything that could harm the Federal Republic of Germany. This solemn commitment is intended to reaffirm the written commitment to the free democratic basic order in the naturalization application. With the handing over of the naturalization certificate, the naturalization becomes effective. You are then a German citizen.

With your naturalization certificate, you go to your registration office and apply for your German identity card. As a German, you must have it, but you must not carry it with you all the time. You will need a passport if you are planning a trip abroad for which your identity card is not sufficient. Your registration office will advise you here.