Register the flat as your sole or main residence

If you move into a new home, you must register with the registration office responsible for you at your new place of residence within two weeks of moving in.

The following applies as your 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.
• If you cannot clearly determine the home you primarily use: Your home in which you have the centre of your life.
• If you have several homes in Germany, your main home is the home you primarily use.

To register your new main residence, you must visit your local registration office in person or have someone authorised by you do so. You can also register your new home online under certain conditions.

• § Section 17 (1) of the Federal Registration Act (BMG)
• § Section 21 (4) of the Federal Registration Act (BMG)
• § Section 22 of the Federal Registration Act (BMG)
• § Section 23 (5) BMG (fulfilment of the general reporting obligation)
• § Section 24 (1) of the Federal Registration Act (BMG)
• General Administrative Regulation on the Implementation of the Federal Registration Act (BMGVwV)

• at least one proof of identity:
  • Identity card
  • temporary identity card
  • Replacement identity card
  • Recognised and valid passport
  • Recognised and valid passport replacement document
• When moving into a rented property: landlord's confirmation of residence or corresponding allocation feature
• when purchasing residential property: notarised purchase contract or extract from the land register
• for persons under guardianship: written power of attorney or guardian's identity card
• If represented by another person: written authorisation and identification documents of the person to be registered, if applicable
• If moving from abroad: last residential address in Germany
• for spouses, life partners and family members with the same move-in data: Move-in date and previous and current residences
• The competent authority may request the submission of further documents to verify the information (e.g. marriage certificate, birth certificate).

• You have moved into a new flat in Germany.

The following requirements apply to the online service:

• You are of legal age.
• You are not married and do not have a registered civil partnership.
• You move into your new home without underage children.
• You have a valid ID card or a valid eID card with an activated online ID function and personal identification number (PIN).
• You have an NFC-enabled smartphone or a USB card reader.
• You have installed the ID card app2 on your smartphone.
• You have an M-V user account.

You must appear in person at the registration office responsible for you or be represented by a person with power of attorney if necessary:

• You confirm with your signature that the personal data requested by the registration authority from the previously responsible registration authority is correct.
• You submit all the necessary documents.
• Finally, you will receive an official confirmation of registration from the registration office.

For electronic residence registration:

• You call up the online service.
• You log in to the online service with your user account.
• You enter all the required data online and submit the form online.
• You will receive a code by post to the address of your new home.
• You confirm your move into your new flat by entering the code in the online service.
• You will then receive your electronic registration confirmation and an address sticker by post to update your ID card.

Forms available: No
Written form required: yes (except for automated population register)
Informal application possible: no
Personal appearance required: No

• Registration of main, secondary or sole residence

• Electronic residence registration

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In Mecklenburg-Vorpommern, 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.