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Naturalization in Berlin
Find out all the important information about naturalization in Berlin (documents, appointment, application, processing time)
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About this Page
which documents the State Office for Immigration (LEA) requires for naturalization
whether you need an extra appointment for naturalization in Berlin
How to apply for naturalization in Berlin
how long it takes to process a naturalization application
Table of Contents
1. Naturalization State Office for Immigration
2. Naturalization Authority Berlin Contact
3. Apply for naturalization in Berlin online
4. Naturalization test Berlin
4.1 Naturalization test questions
4.2 Naturalization test preparation course
5. Naturalization procedure
5.1 Appointment for naturalization procedure in Berlin
5.2 Documents for naturalization in Berlin
6. Duration of naturalization in Berlin
7. FAQ
8. Conclusion
1. Naturalization State Office for Immigration
This article focuses on naturalization in Berlin, where by far the most naturalizations in Germany take place (approximately 9,000 per year). Since January 1, 2024, the State Office for Immigration (LEA) has been responsible for naturalizations in Berlin . Until January 1, 2024, the district offices were responsible for naturalization authorities in Berlin. A new Department S has been created at the State Office for Immigration in Berlin specifically for naturalization procedures, which will handle naturalizations in Berlin instead of the district offices. The new department has already begun work and is now processing the files and naturalization applications submitted by the district offices.
The State Office for Immigration has taken over approximately 40,000 pending naturalization procedures from the district offices (which still need to be digitized), and at least 1,000 new naturalization applications are submitted each week. The reform of the citizenship law on January 19, 2024, has further increased the number of applications, as the required residency period has been reduced. In particular, Syrians who immigrated during the refugee crisis in 2015 are now also eligible for naturalization. We have written a separate blog post on the current status of naturalizations in Berlin (as of 2025) .
2. Naturalization Authority Berlin Contact
The Department S of the State Office for Immigration, which is responsible for naturalizations, can issue a new Contact form . When contacting Department S, please ensure that you contact the correct department or the department responsible for you. The responsibility of the departments is generally based on your nationality. To shorten processing times, please ensure that you contact the correct department or the department responsible for you.
The naturalization authority in Berlin cannot generally be reached by phone or email. While there is a telephone number for the State Office for Immigration (030) 90269-4000, it is virtually impossible to reach anyone at the authority. Therefore, we recommend using the contact form or sending a letter. If you experience difficulties, it may be more efficient to contact a naturalization lawyer.
3. Apply for naturalization in Berlin online
In Berlin, since the State Office for Immigration (LEA) assumed responsibility for naturalization, it is possible to apply for naturalization online . In the LEA's online system, you simply need to enter the relevant information and upload the required documents. Naturalization applications in Berlin can, of course, still be submitted in writing. The naturalization application should then be sent by mail to:
State Office for Immigration
Sellerstr. 16
13353 Berlin
In case of doubt, the application can also be submitted by a lawyer via the special electronic lawyer's mailbox (beA).
After you submit your application, the State Immigration Office will review your application. Following the review, the State Immigration Office will either request additional documents or offer you an appointment to review your documents and sign your application. You will then receive an appointment for receiving your naturalization certificate by mail. With the naturalization certificate, you can then apply for a German passport.
4. Naturalization test Berlin
Typically, a so-called " naturalization test " must be taken before applying for naturalization. By passing the naturalization test, you demonstrate that you have "knowledge of the legal and social order and living conditions in Germany" (Section 10, Paragraph 2, Sentence 1, No. 7 of the German Citizenship Act (StAG) in conjunction with Section 10, Paragraph 5 of the StAG). While the naturalization test is not mandatory (if you can demonstrate sufficient integration through other means), it is still required by many authorities. You can inquire about the conditions under which you are exempt from taking the naturalization test from a naturalization lawyer .
4.1 Naturalization test questions
The naturalization test consists of a total of 33 questions . There is a catalog of 310 questions (300 general questions, 10 questions related to the federal state), of which 33 can be asked in the test. To pass the test, half of the questions (i.e., 17 of the 33 questions) must be answered correctly. The questions are freely available online. The Federal Office for Migration and Refugees (BAMF) provides an online tool that can be used to study for the naturalization test . The tool contains all 310 possible questions. The questions are generally relatively easy to answer if you have already lived in Germany for a while.
4.2 Naturalization test preparation course
To prepare for the naturalization test, naturalization authorities usually offer preparatory courses . While participation in the preparatory course is not mandatory, it is recommended if you are not yet familiar with German politics and the constitution. In Berlin, preparatory courses for the naturalization test are offered by adult education centers. You can find out when the next preparatory courses begin and register for them on the VHS Berlin website . The VHS Berlin website also shows when the next naturalization test exams will take place in Berlin .
5. Naturalization procedure
If you have passed the naturalization test (or if one is not required), you can apply for naturalization. The naturalization process begins with a corresponding application to the relevant authority and ends with the receipt of the naturalization certificate .
5.1 Appointment for naturalization procedure in Berlin
Many naturalization authorities offer an interview before submitting the naturalization application in order to inform the naturalization applicant about the requirements and the naturalization process (for example, the naturalization authority in Berlin has done so so far). The actual application form and all necessary information documents are usually handed out during this preliminary interview. Contrary to popular belief, however, the preliminary interview is not a mandatory requirement to begin the naturalization process. The preliminary interview is simply a service provided by the authority that can be used but is not mandatory. In Berlin, the option of an initial interview is no longer available since the State Office for Immigration is now responsible for naturalizations. The initial interviews were therefore only conducted by the Berlin district offices. In Berlin, the initial interview has now been replaced by the online Quickcheck tool for checking the naturalization requirements .
5.2 Documents for naturalization in Berlin
If you meet all the requirements for naturalization, you can submit the requested documents to the naturalization authority . The required application documents vary depending on the authority conducting the naturalization process. The legal basis and reason for applying for naturalization (e.g., as the spouse of a German citizen) are also relevant for the required documents. Generally, the following documents are required (for the standard naturalization process):
Naturalization application (form)
valid passport
Birth certificates
Employment contract and salary slips for the last six months
rental agreement
Language certificates
Naturalization test certificate
In individual cases , additional documents may be required , depending on what your caseworker deems necessary. The documents also depend on the type of naturalization you are applying for. For example, if you are applying for naturalization based on your marriage to a German citizen, you must submit your marriage certificate. If in doubt, a naturalization attorney can advise you on this.
6. Duration of naturalization in Berlin
The immense processing time is often a major problem in naturalization procedures. In some cases, naturalization procedures can take up to seven or eight years without the authorities making a decision. This is particularly problematic if, for example, the passport of the naturalization applicant is about to expire. It is also not uncommon for, for example, the naturalization applicant to have a livelihood secured through an employment contract at the start of the naturalization process, but then loses their job during the lengthy naturalization process. This can then lead to the rejection of naturalization, since the decisive point in time for assessing the requirements for naturalization is not the submission of the application, but the point in time when the authorities make a decision.
Regarding the excessive processing times, however, it should be noted that the authority cannot take as much time as it wants. By law, the authority has only three months to process an application (Section 75 of the Administrative Court Code). However, this requires that all necessary documents have been submitted. After the three months have elapsed, the naturalization applicant has the option of filing a so-called action for failure to act with the assistance of a naturalization attorney. This action for failure to act then results in the court forcing the authority to decide on the naturalization.
In Berlin, significant processing delays are currently to be expected. As a result, there are currently almost 40,000 pending naturalization applications pending at the State Office for Immigration (LEA), and new applications are being added every week. This problem will only get worse with the new reform of citizenship law. This article will explain ways you can expedite the naturalization process . If the authority still hasn't processed your application after several years, your only option is generally to file a lawsuit for failure to act with a naturalization lawyer . We have also written a VISAGUARD blog post on the status of naturalizations in Berlin.
7. FAQ
Which authority is responsible for naturalizations in Berlin since January 1, 2024?
As of January 1, 2024, the State Office for Immigration (LEA) has been responsible for processing naturalization applications in Berlin. This replaces the previous responsibilities of the district offices.
How has the processing of naturalization applications in Berlin changed due to the change to the State Office for Immigration?
The transition to the LEA has led to considerable delays and chaos. However, the agency has established a new department (Department S) with approximately 70 employees to handle citizenship cases. It has also introduced the option of submitting naturalization applications online.
What problems are currently occurring with naturalization in Berlin?
There are currently approximately 40,000 pending naturalization applications in Berlin. The reform of citizenship law has also resulted in tens of thousands of new applications, leading to further delays.
8. Conclusion
In Berlin, naturalization applications can be submitted online via the LEA portal or in writing by mail. After submitting the documents, they are reviewed, additional documents may be requested, and ultimately, an invitation to receive the naturalization certificate is sent. Due to the high number of unprocessed cases, the process often takes several years, even though the authority is legally obligated to make a decision within three months of receiving all documents. In the event of delays, a lawsuit for failure to act can be filed to enforce the application.
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List of Sources (Paywall)
[1] Leonie Hertig, Berlin: Expensive entry ticket German passport, nd aktuell, 04.04.2025
[2] Thomas Weber, Number of applications for naturalization in Berlin increased, rbb24, 31.07.2024
[3] Administrative instructions for residence in Berlin (VAB), as of 18 February 2025, Part S