A certificate of registration (Meldebescheinigung) is an official document from the registration office (Meldebehörde). It shows that you are registered at a specific address in Germany. It includes, for example, your name, your date of birth and your current address. With this document, you can prove where you live. Depending on the city, the registration office is called Bürgeramt, Bürgerbüro or Einwohnermeldeamt.
Where you will come across this word
When you register your address, you usually get a confirmation straight away. Many people also call this document a Meldebescheinigung. You can read more about this under Registering your address.
Later on, many offices and organisations will ask for a certificate of registration, for example:
- the immigration office (Ausländerbehörde), when you apply for or extend a residence permit (Aufenthaltstitel)
- the bank, when you open a current account (Girokonto)
- the family benefits office (Familienkasse), when you apply for child benefit (Kindergeld)
- the driving licence office (Führerscheinstelle), when you have your driving licence converted
- sometimes your employer or a school
There is a simple and an extended certificate of registration (einfache and erweiterte Meldebescheinigung). The extended certificate contains more information, for example previous addresses or your nationality.
What you should do
- Register with the registration office after you move in. As a rule, you have two weeks to do this.
- Keep the confirmation from your registration in a safe place. Make a copy or take a photo of it.
- Ask in advance which certificate the office needs: the simple one or the extended one.
- Some offices want a recent certificate. Ask how old the document is allowed to be.
- If you need a new certificate of registration, apply for it at the Bürgeramt. In many cities, you need an appointment for this. Some cities also let you apply online.
- Bring your passport or ID card (Personalausweis).
- Expect to pay a fee. The amount varies from city to city. The confirmation you get directly when you register is usually free of charge.
- If you move, register at your new address. An old certificate with your old address is then no longer valid proof.
Examples
- “Please enclose a recent certificate of registration with your application.”
- “To open the account, we need your passport and your certificate of registration.”
- “I need an extended certificate of registration for the immigration office. How can I apply for it?”
Related terms
- Registration confirmation (Anmeldebestätigung or Meldebestätigung): The document you get directly when you register.
- Landlord's confirmation (Wohnungsgeberbestätigung): A form from your landlord. You need it to register.
- Deregistration confirmation (Abmeldebestätigung): It shows that you have deregistered, for example when you leave Germany.
- Main residence (Hauptwohnsitz): The home where you mainly live.
- Information from the population register (Melderegisterauskunft): Information about another person's address. It is not the same as a certificate of registration.