Register flat

When you move into a flat, 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 carer or guardian 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 dwelling 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 organisations.

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 authority, you must submit written confirmation from the landlord or a person authorised by the landlord (landlord confirmation). Your landlord or a person authorised by him/her can also confirm your moving in directly to the registration authority.

The confirmation from the landlord must contain the following data:

1. Name and address of the landlord and, if the landlord is not the owner, the name of the owner,
2. Move-in date,
3. Address of the flat 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. If the relevant requirements are met, you may also be able to request a block on the disclosure and transfer of your data.

• § Section 17 (2) of the Federal Registration Act (BMG)

• 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 flat 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 authorisation or guardian's identity card
• Persons who are unable to attend in person: written authorisation and identification documents of the person to be registered

Spouses, life partners and family members with the same move-in data (move-in date as well as previous and current residences) should use one registration form.
The competent authority may request the submission of further documents to verify the information (e.g. marriage certificate).
 

If you have moved into a flat, you must register with the registration office within two weeks of moving in.

Personal appearance at the competent registration office is mandatory.

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 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.

The registration authority for the new main residence is responsible.

In Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania, the responsible registration authorities are the mayors of the independent towns, the mayors of the large towns belonging to the district and the independent municipalities and the heads of the local authorities as local registration authorities.