Eligibility Quiz
Application Process
You submit your application to the Federal Office of Administration (BVA) in Cologne. The process differs slightly depending on where you live.
If You Live Outside Germany
Submit your application through the German embassy or consulate responsible for your country of residence. They will forward your documents to the BVA in Cologne. Upon approval, the naturalization certificate is typically handed over via the same diplomatic mission.
If You Live in Germany
Contact your local city or district administration (Stadt- oder Kreisverwaltung). If you move to Germany after submitting an application abroad, the BVA will transfer your file to the responsible local authority in your new city or district.
Direct Submission by Mail
You may also submit your application directly by post to:
Bundesverwaltungsamt
50728 Köln
Germany
Step-by-Step Application
Step 1: Gather Your Documents
Begin collecting documents immediately—this stage typically takes 12 to 18 months. You will need:
- Current identity documents: Copy of your foreign passport or identity card (pages with photograph and personal details), officially or notarially certified
- Civil status documents: Your birth certificate or certificate of descent; your parents' marriage certificate; your own marriage certificate (if applicable); birth certificates, marriage certificates, and family registers of ancestors (if applicable)—all officially or notarially certified
- Persecution evidence: Documents proving you or your ancestor(s) were persecuted on political, racial, or religious grounds between January 30, 1933, and May 8, 1945, and that this persecution caused loss or denial of German citizenship or forced departure from Germany
- Citizenship documentation: Proof of former German citizenship (naturalization certificates, ethnic German repatriate's certificates, civil service appointment letters) or evidence of persecution-related denial of citizenship
- Criminal record: A police clearance certificate from your country of residence covering the entire country (not just specific states or provinces). This certificate cannot be older than 6 months when you submit your application
- Additional documents as applicable: Proof of foreign citizenship acquisition, name change documents, adoption certificates, divorce judgments, civil partnership certificates, or paternity documents
Important: All documents must be officially or notarially certified copies. The BVA requests that all documents be provided as notarized copies.
Step 2: Obtain Apostilles and Translations
Foreign official documents (such as civil status documents from your country of origin) must carry a Hague apostille or be legalized.
As of December 2024, the process for obtaining German apostilles has changed. If you need to apostille documents in Germany:
- Submit your application through the online portal managed by the Federal Office of Foreign Affairs (BfAA)
- Pay the apostille fee of €25 per document via the secure "ePayBL" system
- Processing time is approximately two weeks for apostille issuance and roughly four weeks in total
For documents from other countries, contact the competent authority in that country to obtain apostilles.
Have all foreign-language documents translated by a sworn or certified translator in Germany. Copies of certification marks alone are insufficient.
Step 3: Complete the Application Form
Download and complete the official BVA application form:
- Form E15: If you are aged 16 or older
- Form E15_K: If you are under 16
- Form Anlage_AV: If you need to provide information about ancestors
Forms are available from the BVA website. The form must be filled out clearly, carefully, completely, and in German. English translations are provided for reference but are not official submission documents.
Step 4: Prepare Your Narrative
Write a clear, chronological account explaining:
- How you or your ancestor(s) were persecuted on political, racial, or religious grounds between January 30, 1933, and May 8, 1945
- How this persecution caused loss or denial of German citizenship, or forced departure from Germany
- Your family connection to the persecuted person (if you are a descendant)
- Why you believe you qualify under Section 15 StAG
Attach supporting evidence to this narrative.
Step 5: Compile and Submit Your Application
Organize all documents in a logical order:
- Completed application form(s)
- Your narrative and persecution evidence
- Civil status documents (birth, marriage, divorce, adoption)
- Citizenship documentation
- Criminal record certificate
- Copies of current identity documents
- Ancestor documentation (if applicable)
- Any other supporting evidence
Make two complete copies of your entire application package.
Submit via your chosen method:
- Through a German embassy or consulate (if living abroad)
- To your local city or district administration (if living in Germany)
- By post directly to the BVA address above
Keep a copy for your records.
Step 6: Receive Acknowledgment
Upon receipt, the BVA will provide you with an acknowledgment letter containing a reference number. Keep this number for all future correspondence.
Step 7: Respond to Requests for Additional Information
The BVA may request additional documents or clarification. Respond promptly to any queries. The BVA will conduct research in German archives if documents are missing, but providing complete documentation from the outset significantly speeds processing.
Step 8: Await Decision
Processing typically takes 24 to 36 months from submission to decision, though cases with complete documentation may be resolved in approximately 18 months. Complex cases involving archive research or incomplete documentation can take two to three years or longer. Once a case officer is actively reviewing your file, the minimum processing time is around 11 months.
Step 9: Receive Your Naturalization Certificate
Upon approval, you will receive your Einbürgerungsurkunde (naturalization certificate), typically via the German embassy or consulate if you applied from abroad.
Before receiving the certificate, you must make a declaration of commitment to the free democratic basic order (Erklärung zur Verfassungstreue) if you are aged 16 or older.
Step 10: Apply for Your German Passport
Once you hold your naturalization certificate, you are entitled to apply for a German passport. Contact the nearest German embassy or consulate to begin this process. Processing time for a German passport is typically 4 to 6 weeks.
Fees
| Item | Cost |
|---|---|
| Application for naturalization under Section 15 StAG | Free |
| Apostille per document (as of December 2024) | €25 |
| Estimated total for government fees | €0–€500+ |
Total estimate: The application itself is free of charge. However, you may incur costs for apostilles (€25 per document), professional translations, obtaining historical documents from archives, and optional legal assistance.
Does not include: Document procurement from archives (highly variable, often €50–€300+ per document), professional sworn translations (typically €15–€50 per page), legal representation (if you choose to hire a lawyer), or travel costs to obtain documents in person.
Processing Time
Overall timeline: 24 to 36 months from application submission to decision. With complete documentation, expect approximately 18 months or more. Complex cases requiring archive research can take two to three years or longer.
Stage-by-stage breakdown:
- Document gathering: 12 to 18 months (obtaining historical documents from archives)
- Initial processing and acknowledgment: 1 to 4 weeks after submission
- Active case review: Minimum 11 months once assigned to a case officer
- Decision and certificate issuance: Upon approval
Citizenship acquisition date: You acquire German citizenship on the day the BVA approves your application, not from the date of the decision.
Police clearance certificate validity: Your police clearance certificate cannot be older than 6 months when you submit your application.
Factors affecting speed:
- Document completeness: Submitting all required documents upfront avoids queries and significantly shortens processing time
- Case complexity: Cases requiring archive research or involving incomplete documentation take longer
- Current backlog: As of August 2024, the BVA had received approximately 31,500 applications under Section 15 StAG since 2021, with only 14 full-time staff members assigned to handle them, creating substantial delays