Wohnsitz anmelden

When you move into an apartment, you must register with the registration office.

If you are under the age of 16, you must register with the person whose home you are moving into. Newborns born in Germany only need to be registered if they move into a home other than that of their parents or mother. If you are of legal age and a guardian or caretaker has been appointed for you who can determine your place of residence, this person is responsible for registration.

If you have several residences in Germany, one of these residences is your main residence.

The main residence is

• if you are married or living in a civil partnership: the home used primarily by both of you. This also applies if you are only living apart temporarily.
• if you are married or in a civil partnership and live apart permanently: Your predominantly used home.
• if you are a minor: the home mainly used by your parents or foster parents. If they live separately, the main residence is the home in which you mainly live.
• Only if the predominantly used home cannot be determined beyond doubt should the focus of the living relationships be taken into account. Indications for this are, for example, the type of home, personal ties, social and local political activities as well as membership in clubs and other organizations.

Secondary residence is

• any other residence in Germany.

Each time you register, you must inform the registration authority whether you have any other residences in Germany and, if so, which of these residences is your main residence.

When registering with the registration authority, you must submit written confirmation from the landlord or landlady or a person appointed by him or her (landlord confirmation) if you are not the owner of the apartment yourself.

The confirmation from the landlord or landlady must contain the following data:

1. Name and address of the landlord or landlady and, if the landlord or landlady is not the owner, also the name of the owner,
2. date of moving in,
3. address of the dwelling and
4. Names of persons required to register in accordance with § 17 Paragraph 1 of the Federal Registration Act (BMG).

To register, you must complete and sign a registration form.

You will receive written or electronic confirmation of your registration free of charge (official registration confirmation).

If, for certain reasons, you do not want your personal data to be passed on, in some cases you have the option of objecting to it being passed on.

The following documents are required:

• Registration form (may be provided by the municipalities for download or pre-filled),
• Identity card and/or passport as proof of identity and to change the apartment details,
• Confirmation from the landlord or corresponding allocation feature.

The following data or documents are also required from

• Persons under guardianship: written power of attorney or guardian's identity card,
• Persons who cannot appear in person: written power of attorney and identification documents of the person to be registered.

Spouses, life partners and family members with the same move-in dates (move-in date and previous and current residences) should use one registration form.

The following requirements must be met:

• You have moved into a new apartment.

The registration process is as follows:

• You present yourself in person.
• You present your identity document and the landlord's confirmation of residence.
• You or the registration office will fill out a registration form.
• You will receive a written confirmation of registration from the registration office.

• Opposition
• Action for rescission
• Compulsory action

• Apartment registration
• Registering an apartment with the registration office
• A main residence or secondary residence can be registered
• Deadline: within 2 weeks of moving in
• Responsible: Registration office of the new place of residence

Some registration authorities offer forms on the Internet.

• Online procedure possible: generally no
• Written form required: yes
• Personal appearance required: generally yes

If the registration office in your new place of residence has opened Internet access for registration, you can use this access to register.