Register residence

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

If you are under the age of 16, the person whose home you are moving into is responsible for registration. 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 residence, this person is responsible for registration.

If you have several homes in Germany, one of these homes is your main home.

is the main residence:

• if you are married or in a civil partnership: the home you both primarily use. This also applies if you are only living apart temporarily.
• if you are married or in a civil partnership and live permanently separated: Your predominantly used home.
• if you are a minor: the home primarily 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. Indicators 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.

is a secondary residence:

• each additional apartment in Germany.

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

When registering with the registration office, you must submit a 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. Move-in date,
3. Address of the apartment and
4. Names of persons required to register in accordance with Section 17 (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 confirmation of registration).

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.

• § Section 17 (1) and (3) of the Federal Registration Act (BMG)
• § Section 19 of the Federal Registration Act (BMG)
• § Section 24 (1) of the Federal Registration Act (BMG)

• Identity documents of all persons
• Certificate of residence according to § 19 of the Federal Registration Act
• Civil status certificate depending on marital status (possibly also legally binding divorce decree)
• If applicable, proof of acquisition of German citizenship (e.g. naturalization certificate)
• If applicable, declaration of custody or declaration of consent for minor children

Further documents may be requested in individual cases.

The registration process is as follows:

• You speak 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.

You can change your vehicle registration certificate, which is also mandatory, at the vehicle registration office.

• Landlord confirmation