From the first question to the certificate.
Naturalisation is an administrative procedure: structured, traceable, with clear steps. This page shows every phase and answers the question everyone asks first: how long does it take.
Your own preparation, meaning the eligibility check, the application and the documents, takes a few weeks. The authority's review that follows usually takes 6 to 36 months, depending on the authority.
Where the time goes
Submission splits the procedure into two very unequal parts. Set how long your authority takes to review.
You do not decide how long the review takes. You decide whether the authority has to ask back.
The range of 6 to 36 months comes from the duration table further down this page. How long your authority actually takes is something you learn where you file the application.
The eligibility check
Four questions decide whether you are entitled to apply in principle and which section of the StAG applies to you.
Before any effort comes the clarification: is the application worth it at all? Based on your length of residence, your residence permit, your German skills and your income situation, the eligibility check examines whether naturalisation under § 10 StAG is an option.
At the end there is a clear assessment. If the requirements are not met, we say so directly and name the obstacles. If you are entitled, we point out the applicable section, and you decide whether to go on.
The wizard
The digital application in your language. No officialese, no incomprehensible forms, no guesswork.
The wizard leads in a structured way through all the questions your naturalisation authority wants answered, split into 14 steps. You work in your language: German, English, Turkish, Arabic, Russian or Ukrainian.
Every question is explained. What does „permanent residence permit“ mean? Which proof counts as „securing your livelihood“? You can stop at any time and continue later.
The documents
You obtain the documents yourself. We tell you which ones, where and in what form, specific to your naturalisation authority.
After the wizard, a document checklist tailored to your case and your municipality is created. The authority in Berlin requires different evidence than the one in Munich. Some municipalities accept copies, others insist on originals.
You take care of obtaining them. That can take several weeks, especially when foreign documents with an apostille or a certified translation are needed. This phase is the longest one you can influence.
The submission
The finished application goes to your naturalisation authority. From that moment the matter lies with the administration.
You file the application yourself: by post, in person at an appointment or through your municipality's digital portal, if it has one. In the premium package you receive documents ready to send, with print-ready dispatch instructions — and on request we handle the postal dispatch on your behalf.
After receipt you get a confirmation of receipt with a file number. You use this file number for all further enquiries.
The review and the certificate
The authority reviews, decides and hands over. This is the only step whose duration nobody outside the administration influences.
The naturalisation authority examines the requirements, requests additional documents where needed and decides on your application. The processing time varies considerably by municipality and by the complexity of the case.
If the decision is positive, you are invited to receive the naturalisation certificate. Many municipalities organise a naturalisation ceremony for this, where you receive the Basic Law alongside the certificate.
In the event of a rejection you receive a written decision with reasons. An objection and a court action are possible; this step lies outside what civitas. provides.
How long does it actually take?
What you work on actively, yourself and with civitas., is a small fraction of the total duration — the large remainder is spent waiting for the authority. Just how small, the slider above shows.
Updated 17 July 2026, legal status June 2026. The processing time differs considerably by municipality.
Three ways to the application.
You can file the application on your own, instruct a law firm or use civitas. Every way has its justification. Here is the honest assessment of when each one makes sense.
File the application yourself
- No additional costs beyond the authority fee
- The authority's forms, mostly in German only
- Your own research on sections, requirements, evidence
- High risk of queries or incomplete applications
An extended processing time is typical.
Digital, multilingual, guided
- Structured wizard in six languages
- Every question explained, no officialese
- Document checklist specific to your municipality
- PDF export ready for the authority
- Personal email support
- Progress can be saved and paused at any time
Fixed price, clear scope, personal email support.
Legal advice
- Individual legal advice in your specific case
- Representation before the authority in case of complications
- Court and objection proceedings possible
- Fee under the RVG or at an hourly rate
Worthwhile in case of rejection, criminal records or complex cases.
Begin with phase 01.
Three minutes, four questions. At the end you know whether your path is open and which legal basis applies to you.