The German noun “Anmeldung” comes from the verb “anmelden”, which means “to register”. When you move to Berlin, Germany, you must register your address at the town hall or your local “Bürgeramt” (Citizen’s Advice Bureau) . The reason for the Anmeldung is so that the authorities recognise that you are in Germany and have an address here. To help you deal with this notoriously difficult German administration process, we’ll explain to you which steps you need to follow. Here, you will also find some tips about how to obtain this certificate with no problems.
What is the process for successfully obtaining an Anmeldung?
In order to avoid difficulty whilst applying for your Anmeldung, we strongly recommend that you follow this list and take our tips into consideration.
Book an appointment with your local Bürgeramt
Registering an address means having an appointment with your local Bürgeramt. Those government authorities have a very strict organisational policies, which means appointments have to be booked in advance.
If you are staying in Germany for more than 6 months, make sure that your Anmeldung is done within the first 2 weeks of your arrival date. If you stay for less than 6 months, you are not obliged to register during this 14-day period.
To book this appointment, you can either dial 115 or book your preferred date online.
But do I choose the right Bürgeramt?
Easy! On Berlin’s official website, you can find a detailed list of all the Bürgeramt buildings according to your neighbourhood. Just click on the one which is located closest to your new address.
Tips– Keep in mind that these appointments are quickly booked up, so you will have to plan your meeting in advance. Therefore, we advise you to book your appointment before your arrival in Berlin.
Prepare and fill in the necessary documents
There are many different options when it comes to applying for and obtaining an Anmeldung, but the most common ones are:
- When you want to register your first address in Germany.
- If you have already an address, and would like to register a second (for example registering a child at their new accommodation when they move out to study etc.).
To prepare for your appointment, you will have to fill out some documents that will facilitate the validation of your Anmeldung.
If you’d like to register an address in Germany, there are some essential documents which you will need to take along with you. A valid form of ID is the first thing the Bürgeramt will ask for.
Secondly, you will need a “Wohnungsgeberbestätigung”. This document is issued by the company or person who is renting the property to you. Usually, they will give it to you at the same time as you sign the contracts, but it’s always good to make sure, just in case you need to request one from them.
Finally, you’ll need to fill in the “Anmeldung form” before attending your appointment.
If you also want to register a vehicle in Germany, for which you need a valid German address, the Bürgeramt requests that you bring the documents mentioned above, plus your vehicle papers and some money, or a “Girokarte”. The cost of each vehicle is 10.80€.
Each application is different, and the documents you need to take vary depending on what you are registering. It is always a good idea to double check exactly what you need before attending your appointment. For example, if you are registering a second address for your child, you’ll need a letter of consent from all legal guardians.
If you are not sure exactly what you’ll need to take with you, don’t worry! The Bürgeramt will send you an email confirming your appointment, and you can find exactly which documents you need for your individual Anmeldung application.
Finalising the Anmeldung with an appointment
When you have completed the first step: booking an appointment, you will receive a personal number which is important to bring on the big day. This number will appear on a screen in the waiting room, and indicates that you can go through to your appointment. For this reason, your number is essential, so don’t miss it!
Secondly, fill out and sign the documents mentioned above and take them along with you.
Finally, see your number on the screen and go through to your appointment.
If you can’t speak German and have to do an Anmeldung, the staff at the Bürgeramt will most likely speak English. Remember mastering respect during your interview. However, if you really want to impress with your German language, we can help you out with our German courses. As a matter of fact, our focus on speaking makes us one of the best german language schools in Germany. If you ever need to prove your language skills, our German classes in Berlin are accredited and recognised by the authorities.
If you’ve already been living in Germany for a while and that you have to prove that you’re still living at the same address, you don’t have to do an Anmeldung again but just follow the Berliner Senat information.