Register apartment
Service description
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 primarily used by the family or civil partnership. This also applies if you are only temporarily separated from your family or partner.
- 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. 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.
When registering, you must inform the registration authority whether you have any other residences in Germany and, if so, which ones, and which of these residences is your main residence.
When registering with the registration authority, you must present a written confirmation from your landlord or a person authorized by them (landlord confirmation). Your landlord or a person authorized by them can also confirm your move-in directly to the registration authority.The confirmation from the landlord must contain the following data:
- Name and address of the landlord and, if the landlord is not the owner, also the name of the owner,
- Move-in date,
- Address of the apartment and
- 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.
Upon registration, you will receive a written or electronic confirmation of your registration (official registration confirmation) free of charge.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 the transfer. If the relevant requirements are met, it may also be possible to request a block on the disclosure and transfer of data.
Procedure
Personal appearance at the responsible registration office is mandatory.
Who should I contact?
The registration office of the city, municipality or association of municipalities to which you have moved is responsible.
Prerequisites
If you have moved into an apartment, you must register with the registration office within two weeks of moving in.
What 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 for changing the apartment details
- Landlord's confirmation of residence or corresponding allocation feature
The following data or documents are also required from
- persons moving from abroad: the last residential address in Germany (confirmation of registration, date of moving in and out)
- Persons under guardianship: written power of attorney or guardian's identity card
- Persons who cannot appear in person: written authorization and identification documents of the person to be registered
Spouses, partners, and family members with the same arrival details (date of arrival and previous and current addresses) should use a single registration form.
The relevant authority may request further documentation to verify the information provided (e.g., marriage certificate).
What deadlines do I have to observe?
You are required to register with the registration office in your place of residence within two weeks of moving in.
Late registrations may be subject to a fine.Processing time
None (the registration form is issued directly at the registration office)
Legal basis
Applications / Forms
Some registration authorities offer forms on the Internet.
- Online procedure possible: generally no
- Personal appearance required: generally yes
If the registration office of your new place of residence has opened Internet access for registration, you can register via this access by submitting the required information and using a qualified electronic signature in accordance with the Digital Signature Act.
- Registration with the registration authority, with main residence or sole residence and with secondary residence; § 11 para. 1 Nm. 1 and 2 of the Registration Act for the State of Saxony-Anhalt (MG LSA)
- Registration with the registration office, with main residence or sole residence; § 11 para. 1 Nm. 1 and 2 of the Registration Act for the State of Saxony-Anhalt (MG LSA)
- Registration with the registration authority, with secondary residence; § 11 para. 1 Nm. 1 and 2 of the Registration Act for the State of Saxony-Anhalt (MG LSA)
- Declaration of consent for the re-registration of a minor child
- Notes on the registration form part 1 and notes on the registration form part 2
- Notes on the registration form part 1 and notes on the supplementary sheet for determining the main residence
- Notes on the registration form part 1, notes on the registration form part 2 and notes on the supplementary sheet for determining the main residence
- Notes on the removal registration form
- Notes on the relocation registration form and notes on the supplementary sheet for determining the main residence
- Relocation notification - only if you are moving within the municipality or administrative community
- Relocation notification - only in the event of a change of residence within the municipality or administrative community - with supplementary sheet to determine the main residence (attachment to the registration form for residents with several dwellings)
- Certificate of residence