If your spouse or registered partner applies for naturalization, you and/or your minor child may be granted naturalization ahead of schedule under certain conditions. Upon naturalization, you—and, if applicable, your minor children—will obtain German citizenship and become citizens of the Federal Republic of Germany with equal rights, enjoying all the rights and obligations of a German citizen.

Among other things, you can exercise your right to vote, enjoy freedom of movement within Europe, and travel to many countries outside of Europe.

This option is available even if you have not yet been legally residing in Germany for five years as part of the joint naturalization process.

The joint naturalization of spouses or domestic partners and/or your minor children is possible under both entitlement-based naturalization and discretionary naturalization.

The competent authority is the citizenship office in your place of residence.