Crikey, I will stop complaining then 
that’s a terribly long time. In Kanton Zurich I have heard of some people receiving it after 18-20 months and some 22-24 months. I am now on month 21.5 so hopefully it isn’t too long now. Having this thread to keep me from going insane has helped 
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Just plan for 24 months and if it comes earlier you will be nicely surprised.
Today on the 12th, exactly three months after the last communication, my online status moved to Abschluss so another step closer 
Yay!
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Congratulations! Did you get an email or SMS notification about the status change to Abschluss? I got the SEM approval 1.5 months ago.
Hi @swisstobe, more than two months passed since you entered the last phase. Di you receive any update?
Nope, the last update I had was on March 7th when I received a notification that the online status changed to “Schlussprüfung”; Looks like @Reggiegilb received that update around ~3 weeks before I did, so I am cautiously optimistic that I’ll get an “Abschluss” notification later this month.
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Hi all, I am in the very early stages of the application process.
Apologies if this has been asked before.
My home country is Ireland and I am applying in Kanton Zug.
I got myself and kids birth certs issued by our home country recently. My question now is what additional stamps / translations I need with these.
What I have: newly issued birth certificates with an letter of authentication. I also have an Annex for each cert with a German translation guide. I suspect while having these does not hurt, it is not fully what I need.
Do I need to have them Apostilled? If so, I can arrange this in Ireland, no problem.
Do I need them translated / notarised? If so, I guess I should arrange for this locally?
What about copies of our passports? I guess they also need to be translated / notarised locally.
Many thanks.
Hi Keith, I am going through the process myself now (in Zug). A little bit more advanced than you. I would recommend two things
(a) go to the FMZ in Schutzangel, they will explain all process and what you need in detail
(b) go to your consulate (if at reach), they will also be able to give you all documentation needed, and suggest --if needed- a sworn translator, etc. In my consulate, they knew exactly what was needed, and I got everything directly from them, including multilanguage versions of all documents.
Cheers
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Hi everyone,
I’ve been stuck in the état civil procedure in Canton Vaud for about 8 months now. Today, I received a notification from the SwissPost app about a registered letter sent to my address by the Direction de l’état civil cantonal. Unfortunately, I won’t be able to pick it up right now.
After reading through many replies in this thread, I haven’t seen anyone mention receiving a registered letter from the civil status office. For those who have gone through this process in Vaud—does this typically mean confirmation of registration, or could it be something more serious? I always tend to associate registered letters with bad news, unfortunately 
Thanks in advance for any insights!
No this is normal. I also got it via registered mail in Vaud. This step is purely administrative.
Thanks for your reply !
Hi, all. This post has been very helpful. Thanks for sharing.
I might have missed it, but could someone tell if an email or SMS notification is given when the status of application changes from Schlussprüfung to Abschluss? And how long does it take from Abschluss till I would be able to make an appointment for ID/passport?
Application in the city of Zurich.
Thanks 
for me and others there was an email. Usually the letter arrives a few days after and it says you either need to wait 3 weeks or you can apply for id immediately, but I think for Zurich city it says immediately.
would you like to share your timeline?
On Friday 16th May I received the Golden Letter From 12th May, my sons and I are Swiss!!! Yay!!! What a feeling!!!
My timeline was:
End of July 23 - E-application submitted
Feb 24 - letter to confirm test date and interview date
Apr 24 - Knowledge Test
May 24 - Interview with Gemeinde
June 24 - Confirmed accepted by Gemeinde (moved to Prufüng Kanton)
August 24 - Confirmed accepted by Kanton (moved to Prufüng Bund)
Feb 25 - Confirmed accepted by Bund (moved to Schlussprüfung)
May 25 - Confirmed to be in final checks (moved to Abschluss and letter received 5 days later)
Good Luck to Everyone going through this process and Thank You to everyone who shared their stories and kept my spirits up when my patience was failing!
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Thanks for sharing.
I submitted my application shortly before Reggiegilb. Below is the timeline:
Mid-July 2023: Online submission
Mid-March 2024: Invitation to Grundkenntnistest for late April 2024 (but I had to postpone it)
Early May 2024: Grundkenntnistest (no interview needed)
July 2024: Stadt Bürgerrecht
Mid September 2024: Kantonsbürgerrecht
Beginning of October 2024: ZH and SEM bill arrived and paid
End of March 2025: SEM issued Bewilligung and application back to ZH for final checks.
Now about a week short of 2 months at Schlussprüfung.
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Nice, you are a few days after me. Which gemeinde?
I am in Stadt Zürich (West). Mine stayed way too long at SEM (6 months).
They told me it could still take 3 months while I asked for an upate at the end of April (one month into Schlussprüfung). So I am expecting the conclusion to be in 1-2 months from this point. That would make it a lengthy 24 months as indicated in the ZH website.
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I am at 22 months, I asked for update 2 months in the Schlussprufung and they told me that in total it will take 3-4 months. so I expect it also in 1-2 months.
Please keep us updated!
I would say, if you don’t get a picture you are nearing the end within a decent 15 to 16 months timeframe or your at the very last stage beyond this timespan, then except between 18 to 24 months easily (average 20 to 22 months). This is due large volumes and less resources at SEM processing these applications, therefore majority of cases are taking longer. I don’t think its Kanton wise, its based on personal situations and circumstances of the individuals as well, in some cases they might need more evidence. In some cases facilitated has taken longer than ordinary naturalization.
Received the final confirmation today. Guess “golden letter”?
Anyway, many thanks to everyone especially the forum owners and moderators. This forum is a great place for information and at times therapy.
Wishing everyone in the journey all the very best.
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