German Citizenship Document Checklist: All Required Papers 2026

Citizenship applications rarely fail because of missing requirements; far more often, they fail because of missing documents. Here's a complete checklist of every document you need for your Einbürgerungsantrag; with notes on translations, certifications, and special cases.

1. Identity documents

Your identity must be clearly established. This is a baseline requirement; without it, your application won't even be processed.

• Passport from your country of origin (valid)
• Electronic residence permit (eAT) or other proof of residence
• Birth certificate in original with translation
• If applicable, name change documents

2. Marital status

• Marriage certificate (if married) with translation
• Divorce decree (if divorced) with translation and recognition
• Death certificate (if widowed)
• Children's birth certificates with translations
• For co-naturalization: proof of custody

3. Residence and registration

• Extended Meldebescheinigung with all addresses from recent years
• Current Anmeldebescheinigung
• Rental contract or proof of ownership

4. Income and livelihood

• Payslips for the last 6 months
• Employment contract (permanent or fixed-term)
• Latest Einkommensteuerbescheid (income tax assessment)
• If applicable, pension notice or other proof of income

5. Language and test

• B1 language certificate (e.g. Zertifikat Deutsch B1, DTZ B1, telc B1)
• Einbürgerungstest certificate (or "Leben in Deutschland")
• Alternatively: German school or university degree

More on this in Einbürgerungstest Registration.

6. Complete CV with no gaps

You need a tabular CV; with no gaps, from the start of school until today. Every gap must be explained (e.g. unemployment, time abroad, illness). Include:

• School and training certificates
• Work references
• Proof of stays abroad

7. Loyalty declaration (Bekenntnis)

Since 27 June 2024, you must sign an extended Bekenntnis. Beyond the commitment to the free democratic basic order, it now explicitly includes the protection of Jewish life in Germany and recognition of Germany's special historical responsibility.

You'll get the form from your Einbürgerungsbehörde and sign it in person.

8. Insurance

• Health insurance proof (statutory or private)
• For self-employed: retirement provision proof

9. What the authority obtains itself

You don't need to submit some documents yourself; the authority requests them directly:

• Polizeiliches Führungszeugnis; usually requested by the authority itself from the Bundesamt für Justiz
• Information from the Ausländerzentralregister (AZR)
• Inquiries with the Verfassungsschutz

So you usually don't need to fetch the Führungszeugnis yourself; just confirm with your authority to be safe.

10. Translations and certifications

All foreign documents must be translated into German; and only by a translator publicly appointed and sworn in Germany. Translations from abroad are usually not accepted.

• Apostille or legalization (depending on country of origin)
• Certified copies of German documents (Bürgerbüro, notary)
• Translation of all foreign-language originals

11. Special cases

Self-employed

Additional tax documents, BWA, statement from tax advisor, possibly a Handelsregisterauszug.

Children

For co-naturalization: birth certificates, school confirmations, possibly consent of the other parent.

Asylum seekers and refugees

If you can't obtain a passport from your country of origin, authorities usually accept travel documents and ID papers from UNHCR or German authorities. More in Citizenship Requirements.

12. Tips to avoid delays

• Submit everything complete: Incomplete applications often sit for months
• Keep copies: Make digital copies of everything
• Translate early: Sworn translators have long waiting times
• Collect early: Some foreign documents take weeks
• Original and copy: Always submit certified copies, never send originals