The citizens' office (Bürgeramt) is an office of the city or municipality. Here you take care of many important things related to where you live. For example, you register your home there. The Bürgeramt does not have the same name everywhere. Other names are Bürgerbüro, Bürgerservice, Bürgerzentrum, Kundenzentrum or Einwohnermeldeamt. The tasks are usually similar. Each city decides for itself exactly which services it offers.
Where you will come across the word
Many people go to the Bürgeramt in their very first weeks in Germany. Typical tasks are:
- registering your address, changing it or deregistering (anmelden, ummelden, abmelden)
- getting a registration certificate (Meldebescheinigung)
- applying for an ID card (Personalausweis) or passport (Reisepass) (for German citizens)
- applying for a certificate of good conduct (Führungszeugnis)
- in some cities, other services, for example related to driving licences
You will often see the word in letters, on forms and on your city's website. Landlords, employers and banks also talk about it. Important: the Bürgeramt is not the immigration office (Ausländerbehörde). The immigration office is usually responsible for your residence permit (Aufenthaltstitel). In some cities, however, both offices are in the same building.
What you should do
- Find the right Bürgeramt: Search your city's website for „Bürgeramt“ or „Anmeldung“. Large cities often have several Bürgerämter. Small towns usually have only one.
- Book an appointment: Many Bürgerämter only work with appointments. In large cities, appointments are often hard to get. So book early. Also check back often, because appointments sometimes become available again.
- Prepare your documents: For registering your address (Anmeldung), you usually need your passport or ID card and the landlord's confirmation (Wohnungsgeberbestätigung) from your landlord. Check the website beforehand to see which documents you need. You can fill out some forms at home in advance.
- Keep the deadline in mind: After moving into a home, you must register within two weeks. If you can't find an appointment within this time, book the next available one.
- Keep the certificate safe: After registering, you will receive a registration certificate (Meldebescheinigung). Keep it in a safe place. You will need it often, for example for a current account (Girokonto). After your first registration, you will also receive your tax ID (Steuer-ID) by post.
In some cities, you can also do some services online. However, this is not the same everywhere.
Example
- “Please register your new address at the responsible Bürgeramt.”
- “To open an account, we need a registration certificate from the Bürgeramt.”
- “I have an appointment at the Bürgeramt next week. I'm registering my flat there.”
Related terms
- Einwohnermeldeamt: Another, older name for the office where you register your address.
- Meldebehörde: The official term for the authority that stores the data of all residents.
- Meldebescheinigung: A document that shows where you officially live.
- Ausländerbehörde: A different office that deals with visas and residence permits.
- Standesamt: The registry office, where births and marriages, for example, are recorded.
- Rathaus: The town hall, the building of the city administration. The Bürgeramt is often there, but not always.