Apply for a Certificate of Citizenship
Documentary proof of German citizenship, issued by the Federal Office of Administration.
Wo wohnen Sie?
Damit wir Apply for a Certificate of Citizenship mit dem zuständigen Bundesverwaltungsamt in Ihrer Stadt anzeigen können.
Oder Großstadt wählen:
Sie werden zur geführten Suche weitergeleitet – mit Kontaktdaten, Termin und nächsten Schritten für Apply for a Certificate of Citizenship.
Quick answer
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Documents you need
Birth certificates (your own and your parents') · Motion or written inquiry
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Responsible authority
The authority of your main residence
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How to do it
In person or by post at the office
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Costs
Varies by case
How to proceed
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Submit an application to your local municipality
The municipality forwards the application to the Federal Office of Administration.
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Document review
The Federal Office of Administration reviews the birth certificates and, if necessary, determines citizenship.
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Issuance of a Certificate of Citizenship
Delivery by mail through the municipality of residence.
Responsible authority
The authority of your main place of residence is responsible.Find authority →
The essentials before applying
Who is eligible?
German citizens who need to provide documentary proof of their citizenship (e.g., for government agencies abroad).
Income limit
Processing time
Nationwide: approx. approx. 2 months
Success rate
approx. 90.0 % (estimate)
Most common mistakes
- •Birth certificates for the parents or grandparents are missing
- •Application submitted directly to the Federal Administrative Office rather than through the municipality
Common reasons for rejection
- •Citizenship cannot be verified
- •Documents incomplete
Alternatives
- Check related services in the application assistant
- Use social counselling before applying
If rejected
File a written objection within 30 days – with reasons why the decision is wrong and any missing evidence.
Related services
Questions & Answers
How much does it cost to apply for a certificate of citizenship?▼
10–15 € per certificate; wedding ceremonies start at about 50 €—depending on the municipality.
How long does it take to apply for a certificate of citizenship?▼
Typically about 60 business days—depending on the agency and its workload.
Freshness & source
- Maintenance
- Continuously reviewed & updated
- Source
- Bundesportal (verwaltung.bund.de)
- Data quality
- 100 %