German citizenship application steps and how long each takes

A naturalisation (Einbürgerung) usually runs in this order: application, confirmation of receipt, checks by the office, an appointment, the decision, and the handover of the naturalisation certificate. Each Einbürgerungsbehörde (naturalisation office) organises this a little differently, and most of the waiting happens during the checks. An Einbürgerungszusicherung (assurance) is only part of some cases.

The overview below shows, from applicants' reports, the typical number of days from application to each step.

The figures are medians from reports. Your own timeline can differ a lot, partly because not every office runs every step.

The steps

1. Prepare documents and apply

You apply at the naturalisation office for your place of residence and submit the required evidence. Many offices now accept applications online, others only by post or email. Schleswig-Holstein's state website puts it this way: "Viele Einbürgerungsbehörden bieten bereits eine Onlineantragsstellung an" (many offices already offer online applications). Your office's page lists the documents it wants. The legal requirements are in § 10 StAG: among others five years of lawful habitual residence, German at B1 level, and knowledge of the legal and social order.

2. Confirmation of receipt (Eingangsbestätigung)

Many offices then send a confirmation that your application arrived. The Landkreis Ludwigsburg states 3 to 4 weeks on its page, and the city of Hannover announces one for applications sent by post. If it shows a reference number (Aktenzeichen), keep it and quote it in every later message.

3. Checks and requests for missing documents

The office checks your documents and asks other bodies for information, for example the immigration office and security authorities. Under § 37 StAG it passes the data of applicants aged 16 and over to the domestic intelligence agencies (Verfassungsschutz). How long the replies take is up to those bodies, not the naturalisation office. If a document is missing, the office asks for it. Hannover writes that it requests further documents "soweit erforderlich" (where needed).

4. Appointment

Some offices invite you to a personal appointment after the checks, others do not. Some offices check original documents at this point. In the Landkreis Ludwigsburg, applicants aged 16 and over also have an interview in which they show their commitment to the free democratic basic order.

5. Einbürgerungszusicherung, if it applies

In general, a Zusicherung is a written promise by an authority to take a specific decision later (§ 38 VwVfG). In naturalisation cases it was mainly used when applicants had to give up their previous citizenship: first the assurance, then release from the old citizenship, then the certificate. Since 27 June 2024, according to the Baden-Württemberg interior ministry, applicants no longer have to give up foreign citizenships, and § 12 StAG has been repealed. The city of Düsseldorf writes that applicants who already hold an Einbürgerungszusicherung no longer need to pursue the release procedure. Whether your office still plans an assurance in your case, ask the office.

6. Decision

If all requirements are met, the office decides in your favour. Hamburg describes the next step as an invitation to the personal handover of the certificate.

7. Declaration and handover of the certificate

Under § 16 StAG, naturalisation takes effect when the Einbürgerungsurkunde is handed over. Before that you make a solemn declaration (feierliches Bekenntnis): you state that you will respect the Basic Law and the laws of the Federal Republic and refrain from anything that could harm them. The certificate is meant to be handed over at a public naturalisation ceremony. In Hamburg, attending the ceremony is voluntary.

8. After naturalisation

With the certificate you can apply for a German passport and ID card at the passport and ID card office (usually the Bürgeramt).

Where people typically get stuck

• Missing or outdated documents. Every request for more documents extends the process. Check your office's list before you apply.
• Replies from other authorities. The naturalisation office waits for security authorities and others. You can hardly speed this up.
• Appointments. Invitations often come late, and some offices ask applicants not to send status enquiries early, for example Düsseldorf and Hannover.

Waits differ a lot between offices. The office overview shows the current medians per office. The nationwide median is currently:

More on the total duration is in our guide How long does an Einbürgerung take?.

If you add the dates of individual steps to your report (confirmation of receipt, appointment, assurance, decision, certificate), the step timings above get more accurate.

Frequently asked questions

What is an Einbürgerungszusicherung?

An Einbürgerungszusicherung is a written promise by the office that it will naturalise you. It was mainly issued when release from the previous citizenship was still missing. Since 27 June 2024, German law no longer requires you to give up your previous citizenship. Whether your office still issues an assurance in your case, the office can tell you.

Do I have to give up my other citizenship?

Not under German law since 27 June 2024. Whether you keep your previous citizenship depends on the law of your country of origin, though. The Hessian naturalisation portal points out that the authorities of that country can give binding information.

When do I become a German citizen?

When the Einbürgerungsurkunde is handed over to you, as § 16 StAG states. A positive decision or an invitation alone is not enough.

What happens at the handover?

You make the declaration under § 16 StAG and receive the certificate. Some offices check original documents again at that point. Whether this happens in an office or at a naturalisation ceremony is up to the office. Afterwards you can apply for a passport and ID card.

Sources

• § 10 StAG, checked 23 Oct 2026: requirements, five years of residence, B1, § 10 para. 3 repealed.
• § 12 StAG, checked 23 Oct 2026: repealed.
• § 16 StAG, checked 23 Oct 2026: effect on handover of the certificate, solemn declaration, naturalisation ceremony.
• § 37 StAG, checked 23 Oct 2026: data transfer to the Verfassungsschutz for applicants aged 16 and over.
• § 38 VwVfG, checked 23 Oct 2026: definition of a Zusicherung.
• Interior ministry of Baden-Württemberg, naturalisation, checked 23 Oct 2026: no obligation to give up foreign citizenships since 27 June 2024.
• Einbürgerung in Hessen, procedure, checked 23 Oct 2026: keeping the citizenship depends on the law of the country of origin.
• Schleswig-Holstein, naturalisation procedure, checked 23 Oct 2026: many offices offer online applications, certificate, passport at the passport office.
• Landkreis Ludwigsburg, Einbürgerungen, checked 23 Oct 2026: confirmation of receipt, checks by other authorities, personal interview, decision, certificate.
• City of Hannover, Einbürgerung, checked 23 Oct 2026: confirmation of receipt, further documents, appointment, request to hold off further enquiries.
• City of Düsseldorf, Einbürgerung: current information, checked 23 Oct 2026: Einbürgerungszusicherung and release procedure, request to hold off early status enquiries.
• Hamburg, overview of the naturalisation procedure, checked 23 Oct 2026: checks, invitation to the handover, effect on receiving the certificate.
• Hamburg, the naturalisation ceremony, checked 23 Oct 2026: attendance is voluntary.