German Citizenship
It’s more than just a piece of paper — it’s the moment you stand, raise your hand, and step into a new chapter. Here, South Africans share what it felt like to say Ja to Germany. From proud tears to small flags and big emotions, these are the stories of belonging, recognition, and becoming.
Been through it yourself?
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Shared by Louis on 09 July 2025
| Question | Answer |
|---|---|
| Did you apply in a Landkreis, when yes which Landkreis: | No |
| Did you apply in a City, when yes which City: | Munich |
| Time period from submitting your application to getting feedback that the application is processed: | April 2024 – October 2024 (first feedback) – January 2025 (Urkunde ready and printed) |
| Did they request additional documentation or re-submission of documentation: | Yes |
| If yes, please list what documentation they requested: | I had an online submission for myself and my wife. They needed extra documents for my wife (similar to what I had for myself in the initial submission). I had to fill in some additional forms they sent me (Loyalitätserklärung and support for dangerous groups). |
| Could you submit documentation electronically (online or via email): | Yes |
| Did you get an invitation for an interview: | No |
| What documents were required to take with to the interview: | |
| Were there any special instructions in your interview invitation letter: | |
| Describe the interview — were you asked specific questions, did you have to write answers down? | |
| Describe the ceremony: | Once I received my Einbürgerungsurkunde invitation, it was an hour long. Arrived at 9, there were about 14 other people there. They went through the last things you had to sign. My admin part took 2 minutes, sat back down, waited for everyone else to finish their prep. We went into a small room with about 20 seats. They spoke a bit, we said a pledge together, they played some music and called us one by one to hand over the certificates. |
| If already applicable, how long did you wait for your new ID card: | I have already applied – it will take 4–5 weeks. I took a temporary ID for additional costs and walked out with it. With the temporary ID you can travel inside Europe. |
| If already applicable, how long did you wait for your German Passport: | I have already applied (took express) – it will take 3–6 days. |
| Any tips that you can give: | If you have any questions, reach out to 115… they will guide you to the right number for your area where you can ask some additional questions if something isn’t right or you need advice. Once you have a case worker, it also gets easier. |
Shared by José on 09 July 2025
| Please name the city or Landkreis that handled your application: | Freiburg Land |
| Time period from submitting your application to getting an interview invitation: | Applied 11 November 2025 and had interview on 24 May 2024 |
| Did they request additional documentation or re-submission of documentation: | Yes |
| If yes, please list what documentation they requested: | Proof of wife’s German citizenship – her birth certificate wasn’t enough – they needed to see her parents’ Familienbuch. Emails needed to keep providing updated payslips for my wife and I as each month passed. |
| What documents were required to take with to the interview: | Birth certificate, current passports, wife’s passports, her parents’ Familienbuch, B1 certificate, Leben in Deutschland certificate. |
| Were there any special instructions in your interview invitation letter: | Bring your wife. Bring all original documents. |
| Describe the interview — were you asked specific questions, did you have to write answers down? | Signed two documents, spoke a phrase out loud. Was asked about democracy and to mention one Grundgesetz. |
| Describe the ceremony: | Just had an interview and at the same appointment they handed over the Urkunde. |
| Any tips that you can give: | Stay patient, don’t stress, prepare for questions. |
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