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16.01.2018, 21:05
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| | Re: Normal Naturalisation - applicant diary | 
06.02.2018, 14:05
| Member | | Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Zürich
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| | Re: Normal Naturalisation - applicant diary | Quote: | |  | | | Did anyone start the ordinary Naturalisation process in Zurich (City) recently?
I am currently collecting all the papers. The only piece missing is the "Zivilstandanzeige". First I thought they might want the birth certificate, but the info said "max 6 month old" (my birth certificate is certainly much older). Since the "Zivilstandsamt" is a very Swiss thing, I am not sure what to do with this requested paper ... | | | | | Just a quick update in case other people get stuck with the "Zivilstand certificate" for the Naturalisation procedure.
I had to order a new copy of my birth certificate with official authentication (Beglaubigung)
This certificate I handed in at the "Zivilstandsamt" (together with a request paper and a copy of my passport) and they issued it right away (took less than 10 min). It can take up to 2 weeks though as they said. They charged CHF 105.- for the paper and the registration.
This was for EU citizens in the City of Zurich. The process might differ country by country and again for non-EU and certainly canton by canton.
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06.02.2018, 22:47
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| | Re: Normal Naturalisation - applicant diary I went for my first interview today to go through the process with my youngest. Both of us are required to take the official (adult) test in German (FIDE). This is now required for anyone (my child speaks fluent German) with less than 5 years of obligatory school and no, kindergarten does not count. Oddly, I was given a sheet where it states that both myself and my primary aged child must each have individual certificates to say we have not received social help. I have been told that although last year documents were ok in English (for other members of my family), this year they must be translated by a notary into German or French (to be read by the same people who could read them in English last year).
The new rules are supposed to make it more difficult to become Swiss. It is certainly going to be much more expensive. The FIDE test seems to be around 250 chf upwards. I hate to think what the translation costs will be. The can only be translated by a company that will notarise them. Yes, I am looking for such a company. The commune have told me this is not possible in Wallis as there are no such firms. | 
06.02.2018, 23:01
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| | Re: Normal Naturalisation - applicant diary | Quote: | |  | | | ...Oddly, I was given a sheet where it states that both myself and my primary aged child must each have individual certificates to say we have not received social help. I have been told that although last year documents were ok in English (for other members of my family), this year they must be translated by a notary into German or French (to be read by the same people who could read them in English last year)... | | | | | I had to get a certificate/letter that I had not been on social help, but it was already in German. The municipality gave me the address of the local office that handles social help. I wrote a letter (in German) asking for the certificate. They sent it back (in German) with a bill for it. Maybe you can request it in German from the start, since I'm reasonably sure it's an official office that handles social help? | 
07.02.2018, 00:14
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| | Re: Normal Naturalisation - applicant diary
Yes, that will be in German. The odd part is that a child has to produce one. Legally I am not sure a primary aged child can independently ask for social help. Surely, only the parent does that - it's money isn't it?
The translation refers to our birth certificates and my marriage certificate. The funny thing there is that last year English was ok, this year it is not.
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07.02.2018, 13:42
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| | Re: Normal Naturalisation - applicant diary
Since this site helped me a lot when preparing my documents, wanted to give back by sharing my applicant diary:
Aug 2016: submitted application
Sep 2016: invitation to submit fees
Nov 2016: cantonal interview
Feb 2017: federal approval
April 2017: commune interview
June 2017: communal approval
Sep 2017: cantonal approval
Oct 2017: invitation to pay serment fee
Jan 2018: serment
March 2018: passport expected
1y6months in total. The fact that I can live here forever is incredible.  but it still feels unreal and hasn't sunk in properly yet
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07.02.2018, 21:27
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| | Re: Normal Naturalisation - applicant diary | Quote: | |  | | | Yes, that will be in German. The odd part is that a child has to produce one. Legally I am not sure a primary aged child can independently ask for social help. Surely, only the parent does that - it's money isn't it?
The translation refers to our birth certificates and my marriage certificate. The funny thing there is that last year English was ok, this year it is not. | | | | | I suppose it's possible that a child receives social help but I agree it would probably be paid to the parent on behalf of the child. In any case, I presume you can write one letter to request certificates for both of you.
Thanks for clarifying about the translations for birth certificate and marriage certificate. That does seem to be a new requirement.
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16.02.2018, 12:24
|  | Member | | Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Thalwil
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| | Re: Normal Naturalisation - applicant diary | Quote: | |  | | | Since this site helped me a lot when preparing my documents, wanted to give back by sharing my applicant diary:
Aug 2016: submitted application
Sep 2016: invitation to submit fees
Nov 2016: cantonal interview
Feb 2017: federal approval
April 2017: commune interview
June 2017: communal approval
Sep 2017: cantonal approval
Oct 2017: invitation to pay serment fee
Jan 2018: serment
March 2018: passport expected
1y6months in total. The fact that I can live here forever is incredible. but it still feels unreal and hasn't sunk in properly yet | | | | | Congratulations genf. I'm assuming that you are in Geneva. Sounds like it went very quickly and smoothly for you. You didn't mention Federal approval, sounds like it happened within a month after Cantonal approval, is that correct? For me it is 3 years and counting - hopefully at the last stage now.
Cheers.
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16.02.2018, 12:31
|  | Member | | Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Thalwil
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| | Re: Normal Naturalisation - applicant diary | Quote: | |  | | | ... and finally, after around 1100 days from submitting the first documents, a letter arrived saying "come to a ceremony in early May, we'll baptize you in Fondue" and you'll officially be Swiss.
While being very happy with my new home and new status , some of the edge was taken off by the marathon endurance test the process became . | | | | | Congratulations Mr. Fribourgeois. The Fondue will now taste better :-D
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23.02.2018, 19:53
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| | Re: Normal Naturalisation - applicant diary
After 17 years of living here, I finally made the first move today towards citizenship. I'm a UK citizen and my son was born here and is Swiss. I realise things have become tighter around permits and citizenship and would hate to be caught in a position down the line where I have to leave my son and possible future grandkids!
I called the Canton Amt für Migration and was directed towards my Gemeinde.
I've sent an e-mail asking for an appointment. Although I'm pretty OK with my German I learned it all via being on playgrounds or in the workplace (in other words, not formally) so bit nervous about that and the tests!!
I'm divorced (Swiss ex husband) with a Swiss son and full time employment so I figure it's finally time to do it! Kind of nervous...but here goes.
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24.02.2018, 09:11
|  | Member | | Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Thalwil
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| | Re: Normal Naturalisation - applicant diary | Quote: | |  | | | After 17 years of living here, I finally made the first move today towards citizenship. I'm a UK citizen and my son was born here and is Swiss. I realise things have become tighter around permits and citizenship and would hate to be caught in a position down the line where I have to leave my son and possible future grandkids!
I called the Canton Amt für Migration and was directed towards my Gemeinde.
I've sent an e-mail asking for an appointment. Although I'm pretty OK with my German I learned it all via being on playgrounds or in the workplace (in other words, not formally) so bit nervous about that and the tests!!
I'm divorced (Swiss ex husband) with a Swiss son and full time employment so I figure it's finally time to do it! Kind of nervous...but here goes. | | | | | Good luck to you. Sounds like you'll do great. The length of the process tests your patience though, so be prepared and keep us updated. Cheers.
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23.03.2018, 16:02
|  | Forum Veteran | | Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Zurich
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| | Re: Normal Naturalisation - applicant diary
Have a package coming on Monday which is COD (115chf). Coming from 3070 Ostermundigen LZB Annahme.
Could this be from Bern relating to my application?
If not have no idea what it could be.
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23.03.2018, 20:13
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| | Re: Normal Naturalisation - applicant diary | Quote: | |  | | | So here is my timeline, hopefully it will help those applying as well. Einbürgerung: Zürich City . Regular Naturalisation
Trip to the Stadthaus in Zürich. Got all the forms and information. Collected all the papers.
18.04.2016 Sent the papers.
24.06.2016 C-1 German Certificate sent.
10.01.2017 Invite for Einbürgerungsgespräch.
08.02.2017 Einbürgerungsgespräch in the Stadthaus:
45 min conversation, very nice guy from Wallis. I was well prepared. He just wanted to know how much I knew about Switzerland, and I explained everything: Geography, history, all the Federal councils and their departments, I spoke a bit in Swiss German as well. He liked that a lot. Got a very positive review from him. All in all, it was a good chat. I was quite nervous before, but there was no need for it.
7.04.2017 City of Zürich payment CHF 1200
23.05.2017 Kanton payment CHF 500 10.08.2017 Federal Approval. CHF 115 payment.
11.08.2017 Papers sent to Kanton ZH Einbürgerungsabteilung.
22.08.2017 Confirmation received. Swiss!
24.8.2017 Schrifftempangscheine from the Gemeinde.
Made an appointment at the Passbüro.
29.08.2017 Passbüro Biometrics taken. CHF 158 for the Passport and ID combo.
31.08.2017 Received both Passport and ID today.
All done! Took 16.5 months in total. Finally Swiss as well!!! 
Cost around CHF 2300 for all the papers and passport and id from start till the end.
No references were contacted. No police came by for interview.
So that my my entry in the applicant diary.
Cheers and wishing you all a pleasant day
S
P.S I would like to thank everyone here on the Forum who helped me with information and those who posted their own timelines here, it was very helpful. | | | | | Guess I was right?
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23.03.2018, 21:37
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| | Re: Normal Naturalisation - applicant diary | Quote: | |  | | |
I have been told that .... this year [documents] must be translated by a notary into German or French ....
....I hate to think what the translation costs will be.
The can only be translated by a company that will notarise them.
Yes, I am looking for such a company. The commune have told me this is not possible in Wallis as there are no such firms.
| | | | | I realise this post is a little older, but would like to add something about translations in Switzerland.
The translation is not provided by a notary.
Anyone is allowed to translate anything.
To get a translation notarised, the translator must visit a notary, and before her make a declaration that he has translated document A in English into German/French, and that to the best of his ability and knowledge, this is a true and accurate translation rendering it equivalent to document A.
The notary charges a fee for letting the translator so declare, and they both put their stamps and signatures on the documents.
Any professional translator (or anyone at all who has done a translation) can go to the notary for this declaration. Some translators elect not to get their translations notarised because they find it too time-consuming to travel to the notary's office and wait for the stamp.
I would be surprised if a canton would not accept the stamp of a notary from outside of their canton, but within Switzerland. You might like to check that before you get a translation notarised in a different canton.
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27.03.2018, 10:49
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| | Re: Normal Naturalisation - applicant diary
Hi Sam,
Thanks a lot for a very detailed overview. Just wanted to make sure, did you really receive the final certificate 11 days after sending the confirmation/receipts? It's been 3 weeks already in our case and I am thinking of phoning the Gemeindeamt to see if all ok. Thanks a lot
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28.03.2018, 13:53
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| | Re: Normal Naturalisation - applicant diary
OK, so this was the federal approval (COD letter for 115chf).
But the post person just left it in the post box, did not ask for the 115chf. I guess I now need to go to the post office and pay this otherwise I will run into issues. NOTE: With the Federal approval is a letter which states you need to send the approval along with copies of payment to the Gemeinde and the Kanton. Took me a while to find these in my on-line bank account. So advice you to keep a copy to hand during the process | The following 2 users would like to thank szhjcn for this useful post: | | 
06.04.2018, 15:09
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| | Re: Normal Naturalisation - applicant diary
Hello Sam
Thanks for great summary. May know the name of this Document you received " 22.08.2017 Confirmation received. Swiss!" | Quote: | |  | | | Hey all,
Here's an updated timeline, for those who are in process in Lausanne. I understand the smaller communes are much quicker:
21 November 2013 - official application date
15 March 2015 - received a convocation to appear at the police station for an interview
30 April 2015 - interview with police
20 June 2015 - received the first bill (communal 250CHF)
9 March 2016 - interview with a Municipal
19 March 2016 - Received the approval letter from the Commune of Lausanne
5 Oct 2016 - Received a letter from the Canton of Vaud asking for fresh copies of everything, and a bill
10 Oct 2016 - Got all of the fresh documents in the mail, and paid it
25 Oct 2016 - Letter from the canton saying I was "recommened"
19 Nov 2016 - Official approval by the Conseil d'État (no notification)
10 January 2017 - Got a form from the Federal Government asking me to vouch for my non-criminality
26 January 2017 - Federal approval (they wrote to the canton, not me)
1 May 2017 - Convocation to the prestation de serment
31 May 2017 - Swiss! | | | | | | 
19.04.2018, 14:21
|  | Forum Veteran | | Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Zurich
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| | Re: Normal Naturalisation - applicant diary
Updated Timeline:
- April 2017 Past the Geman and Swiss Test beginning of the month.
- 13th July 2017 Had the Gemeinde interview (would have been a couple of weeks earlier but was not available)
- 8th Aug 2017, the Gemeinde reviewed my application
- 11th Aug 2017 they sent me a bill for 1,450 + 30 chf (myself and son)
- 15th Aug 2017 Had our names put in the local rag - There is 30 days after the ad that people can object to our appication
- Next Step Zurich Kanton approval, followed by Bundesrat. Heard Zurich can take some time
- 30th Nov 2017 Received a letter with a bill of 500chf to pay.
Said pay the bill within 30days and you will receive some documents in 3-5 months
- 23.03.2018 Have a package coming on Monday (26.03) which is COD (115chf). Coming from 3070 Ostermundigen LZB Annahme.
Was from Bern relating to my application. Contained the Federal Approval. (Swiss post failed to collect the COD, so had to catch the post-person one morning to pay this).
- 27.03.2018 Sent all the forms back to Kanton Zurich along with bank statements showing the payments to Gemeniende and Zurich.
- 17.04.2018 - Received letter telling me we are now Swiss 
Last night registered to get the Passport and ID. This morning have an email saying our details have been confirmed and have a link to select a time and date for our appointment at the passport office in Zurich.
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19.04.2018, 15:07
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| | Re: Normal Naturalisation - applicant diary | Quote: | |  | | | ...
- 17.04.2018 - Received letter telling me we are now Swiss 
Last night registered to get the Passport and ID. This morning have an email saying our details have been confirmed and have a link to select a time and date for our appointment at the passport office in Zurich. | | | | | Congratulations!  | This user would like to thank 3Wishes for this useful post: | | 
20.04.2018, 10:13
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| | Re: Normal Naturalisation - applicant diary
17.04.2018 - Received letter telling me we are now Swiss
thanks for update. Few Clarifications
1. Where did you receive Letter from 17.04.2018 . Kanton or Stadt
2. What is Name of this Document ?
Thank you
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