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Citizenship authorities Germany
All information about the citizenship authorities that exist in Germany.
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what a citizenship authority is
which citizenship authorities exist
Everything about the Federal Office of Administration (BVA)
Everything about Department S of the State Office for Immigration (LEA)
1. What is a citizenship authority?
2. What citizenship authorities exist?
3. Citizenship Authority BVA
4. Citizenship Authority LEA (Berlin)
5. FAQ
6. Conclusion
1. What is a citizenship authority?
In Germany, responsibility for citizenship matters lies with different authorities. Citizenship authorities are generally organized at the municipal level – usually as part of the local immigration office , which in turn is part of the city or district. However, some cities have their own naturalization offices that operate independently of the immigration office. Which specific authority is responsible therefore depends on the place of residence ( § 3 VwVfG ). The structure varies from state to state and sometimes even between individual districts.
In addition to these local authorities, the Federal Office of Administration (BVA) also plays an important role. It is primarily responsible for the naturalization of individuals who are habitually resident abroad . Furthermore, the BVA processes applications for the determination of German citizenship when there is no direct connection to an ongoing naturalization procedure. It thus assumes key responsibilities in the area of citizenship law that extend beyond the jurisdiction of local authorities. As a federal agency, the Federal Office of Administration is also considerably more professional than the local authorities.
2. What citizenship authorities exist?
A complete list of all citizenship authorities is not possible here due to the large number of municipalities . In addition to the Federal Office of Administration and the affiliated citizenship departments of German diplomatic missions abroad, the following larger municipal citizenship authorities exist:
Berlin Citizenship Authority: Department S of the State Office for Immigration (LEA)
Hamburg Citizenship Authority: Office for Migration of the Hamburg Authority for the Interior and Sport
Munich Citizenship Authority: Naturalization Authority of the City of Munich
Citizenship Authority Frankfurt am Main: Registry Office Frankfurt am Main, Department “Citizenship, Naturalizations and Name Changes”
Citizenship Authority Düsseldorf: Office 54/22 – Naturalization and Citizenship of the State Capital Düsseldorf
Citizenship Authority Leipzig: “Department of Foreigners and Citizenship Law, Foreigners' Authority/Naturalization”
3. Citizenship Authority BVA
At the federal level, the Federal Office of Administration (BVA) has the greatest practical significance. The BVA is the central federal authority in matters of citizenship law, becoming responsible particularly when applicants reside abroad (§§ 1, 5 BVA Act). For individuals without habitual residence in Germany, the BVA conducts procedures related to naturalization and the determination of German citizenship . It reviews applications, evaluates documents, obtains statements from German diplomatic missions abroad, and ultimately decides on the application. In doing so, the BVA performs tasks that would otherwise be carried out by local citizenship authorities within Germany.
Furthermore, the Federal Office of Administration (BVA) fulfills an important specialist and coordinating function for citizenship law. It produces information sheets, guidelines, and interpretive notes that are used in administrative practice nationwide. In addition, the office works closely with the Federal Ministry of the Interior (BMI), particularly in complex or fundamental cases, such as the renaturalization of former German citizens or the determination of German citizenship in cases with difficult documentation. Due to its central position, the BVA ensures uniform standards and consistent application of the law in the area of citizenship law.
4. Citizenship Authority LEA (Berlin)
The Department S of the State Office for Immigration (LEA) is responsible for citizenship and naturalization in Berlin . Within the Berlin administration, it thus serves as the central naturalization and citizenship authority for the state. Its core tasks include processing applications for naturalization under the Nationality Act (StAG), including naturalizations by entitlement, discretionary naturalizations, and the naturalization of spouses . It verifies requirements such as identity, residency status, language skills, proof of sufficient means of subsistence, and declarations of loyalty, conducting extensive investigations into the facts of each case.
Furthermore, Department S deals with procedures for determining German citizenship , for example, in cases of unclear or disputed citizenship status. It also handles matters related to loss of citizenship and the revocation of naturalizations. Overall, Department S serves as the central point of contact for Berlin residents in all matters concerning the acquisition, loss, and determination of German citizenship.
5. FAQ Citizenship Authority
Who is responsible for citizenship issues in Germany?
Citizenship authorities are generally located at the municipal level – usually within the immigration office of the respective city or district. However, depending on the federal state, there are also independent naturalization authorities.
Who is responsible if I live abroad?
The Federal Office of Administration (BVA) is responsible for persons with habitual residence abroad. Applications are usually submitted through German diplomatic missions abroad.
Is there a central citizenship authority in Germany?
No. There is no federal naturalization office. Responsibilities lie primarily with the municipalities. However, the Federal Office of Administration (BVA) handles key tasks for cases involving applicants without a residence in Germany.
Does the BVA also process naturalizations within Germany?
No. The Federal Office of Administration (BVA) is only responsible for individuals without residence in Germany and for centralized determination procedures. Naturalization applications within Germany are always processed by the local citizenship authority.
6. Conclusion of the Citizenship Authority
Germany does not have a unified, nationwide system for citizenship matters. Instead, responsibility lies primarily with local authorities – from the immigration office in smaller towns to specialized naturalization offices in larger cities. It is therefore crucial for those affected to know which specific authority is responsible and what its tasks are. While local authorities primarily handle naturalizations, the Federal Office of Administration (BVA) ensures nationwide standards and takes on cases involving foreign nationals. In Berlin, in particular, Department S of the State Reception Center (LEA) has established itself as a specialized agency, operating as a central state office. Anyone planning an application should familiarize themselves with the local structures and the specific requirements of each authority well in advance to avoid delays.