Naturalisation · City
Naturalisation in Berlin.
Responsible authority, processing time, application route and the documents required — compiled for applicants resident in Berlin.
Place of residence
Berlin
Responsible authority
Landesamt für Einwanderung Berlin (LEA)
Destination
German passport
The route in four stagesFederal state
Berlin
Your procedure follows the competence of the federal state
Submission
Online portal
exclusively via the authority's portal
You receive
Data briefing
every entry complete and checked — for this authority we do not produce a form
In four steps · The route in Berlin
From the check to the application.
civitas. is a digital form-filling aid. We guide you through every requirement in a structured way.
Check eligibility
Free eligibility check: length of residence, language, income, identity — along § 10 StAG.
Enter your details
Structured questions in several steps, in multiple languages. Every entry is checked for plausibility.
Compile your documents
A checklist tailored to Berlin — which evidence, in which form.
The following documents are usually expected in Berlin for a naturalisation under § 10 StAG. The specific list may vary from case to case — family applications require additional annexes for each person.
- Valid passport (biometric) — present all of them in case of multiple nationalities
- Residence title with evidence of at least 5 years of lawful residence
- B1 language certificate (telc, Goethe, ÖSD or DTZ) or a recognised alternative
- Naturalisation test certificate with at least 17 out of 33 points
- Proof of income for the past 12 months
- Certificate of good conduct from the German Federal Central Criminal Register
- Birth certificate with apostille and certified translation
- Marriage certificate with apostille (if married)
- Extended registration certificate to triangulate your residence history
- Tabular CV with a gapless residence history
Stopover · Not ready to start yet?
Document checklist by email
Sign up and we'll email you the document checklist for naturalisation under § 10 StAG straight away. You can start the eligibility check right now.
Arrival
Receive your data briefing
You receive your data briefing for Berlin — every entry complete and checked, ready to be transferred into the application. For this authority we do not produce an official form.
Das LEA führt den Einbürgerungsantrag seit 01.01.2024 über sein Online-Portal; die Bearbeitung erfolgt digital. Termine werden automatisch per E-Mail zugewiesen.
The authority accepts the naturalisation application exclusively via its online portal.
The first step is the check — free of charge and without signing upAlready applied?
Keep track of processing time and status.
Keep deadlines, processing status and § 75 VwGO options in view — the civitas. application tracker reminds you of documents to submit and translates letters from the authority.
Processing time as stated by the authority: keine konkrete Frist genannt — "mit längeren Bearbeitungszeiten zu rechnen"
Source: Service Berlin / Landesamt für Einwanderung (LEA) · As at: 2024-01-01
Authority's own assessment
Das Landesamt für Einwanderung (LEA) nennt für die Einbürgerung keine konkrete Bearbeitungsdauer, sondern weist darauf hin, dass es zum 01.01.2024 rund 40.000 Altanträge aus den Bezirken übernommen hat und daher mit längeren Bearbeitungszeiten zu rechnen ist. Auch in der aktuelleren Darstellung (Stand 01.08.2025) gibt die Behörde ausdrücklich keine konkrete Prognose; die tatsächliche Dauer hängt vom Einzelfall und der Vollständigkeit der Unterlagen ab.
Authority fee (§ 38 StAG)
€255 per adult, €51 per child naturalised alongside
The fee is set uniformly across Germany and does not depend on the municipality you file with. Costs in detail
Sources
Context & references
Around Berlin.
Federal state
Berlin is located in Berlin. Responsibilities, particularities and all recorded authorities of the state are brought together in the overview.
Common topics
Frequently asked questions
Frequently asked questions about naturalisation in Berlin.
Answers to the most common questions, with reference to the responsible office.
01Where do I file the naturalization application in Berlin?
You file the naturalization application with the naturalization authority of your city or district in Berlin. Civitas. is not an authority — it prepares your application and all your documents in full so you can submit them to the responsible office yourself.
02Which requirements must I meet for naturalization?
For naturalization under § 10 StAG you generally need five years of lawful residence, a secure livelihood, German at B1 level, a passed Einbürgerungstest (citizenship test) and a commitment to the free democratic basic order. A clean criminal record is checked as well.
03Which documents do I need for naturalization in Berlin?
Typically a passport, residence permit, B1 language certificate, Einbürgerungstest certificate, proof of income for the last twelve months, a police clearance certificate plus birth and, if applicable, marriage certificates with translation. Civitas. builds a complete checklist for your case.
04How long does naturalization take in Berlin?
Processing time depends on how busy the authority is and is usually between 12 and 24 months nationwide. A complete, correctly filled-out application with all documents avoids follow-up queries and can noticeably speed up the process.
Ready to apply?
Naturalisation in Berlin —
in four steps to your application.
civitas. guides you through all the requirements and compiles your complete application package. You submit it to the authority yourself.
Free eligibility check
Check your eligibility in Berlin.
The eligibility check goes through your requirements along § 10 StAG — length of residence, language, income, identity.
Free of charge and without signing up.