Registration

Anyone who moves to Germany, or move to another city inside Germany, should register their name and residential address at the Residents’ Registration Office ("Einwohnermeldeamt", "Bürgeramt" or "Bürgerbüro") within two weeks. If you don't register or do it too late, you might have to pay a fine. If you are an asylum seeker in Germany, you should be additionally registered at a PIK station.

The proof of arrival ("Ankunftnachweis" or AKN) is a temporary identification document that you receive after your arrival and registration at a PIK station in Germany. The PIK station could be any responsible authority, such as you Initial Reception Center or any branch office of the Federal Office for Migration and Refugees (BAMF). Before a proof of arrival, you may be issued an initial document called "Anlaufbescheinigung". Your personal data and the address of the Initial Reception Centre responsible for you will be specified in this document.

With a proof of arrival, you are legally allowed to stay in Germany. This document is an official paper that enables you to benefit from the state-provided benefits regarding accommodation, health service and catering. The proof of arrival is a standard replacement of the previously used "Asylum Seeker Registration document" (BüMA), a document issued in various forms in the different federal states.

All non-European citizens or stateless individuals fleeing to Europe should have their fingerprints filed, according to the EURODAC regulations, in place since 2003. The fingerprints enable the authorities to implement Regulation (EU) No. 604/2013 (Dublin III Regulation). According to the Dublin III Regulation, the first EU member state you enter would be responsible for processing your asylum request. Through the collection of fingerprints, the officials can check the databases and determine in which EU member state you've first arrived. Your personal data would get registered either at the border and by the Federal Police or at the Federal Office for Migration and Refugees (BAMF) after you apply for asylum. If you deliberately manipulate your fingertips, the authorities may terminate your asylum procedure based on § 32, 33 paragraph 1 of the Asylum Procedure Act.

Your fingerprints will be saved into the Foreigner Central Registry (AZR). AZR is a Database, in which personal information of non-German citizens who live or have lived in Germany is listed. AZR works under the Federal Office for Migration and Refugees (BAMF). Here are the main information collected and saved at AZR:

• The country of origin
• Information on accompanying minor children
• Information on the medical examinations and vaccinations taken
• The education, vocational training and other qualifications for integration and job placement.

The officials at your local Resident's Registration Office store your "individually specific data" ("Personenbezogen Daten"). Data collected include your full name, your current address, your date of birth and family situation. The residents' registration office also often requires a written document (“Einzugsbestätigung“) from the landlord, confirming that you have moved in. Such confirmation is intended to prevent false registrations and the frequently associated criminal acts.

If you move within Germany, you must register your new place of residence at the relevant residents' registration office. The new registration office usually informs the previous one about your new address, so you do not need to notify the old registration office about the move.

You may live in more than one apartment. If so you must tell the local registration office which place is your main home  ("Hauptwohnsitz") and which your secondary residence ("Nebenwohnsitz"). If you are leaving Germany, you must "check out" ("Abmelden") from your last German address at your residents' registration office.

There are more than 5,000 residents' registration offices in Germany, and they are tasked with numerous services. They take care of the registrations, move-outs and address changes, as well as issuing personal and children ID cards, passport and payroll tax cards. Besides, the residents' registration offices should also provide information from their database if a person makes an inquiry for a registry entry or "Resident's Registration Entry   Request" ("EMA-Anfrage"). Such a request may be useful if you are searching for friends or family members, or in case you want to find a customer who has moved or your debtors.

Private providers also offer this service, but often demand money in return. Here you can find a list of the reliable private providers. The resident's registration offices also charge a fee, which varies from one municipality to another. Even if the person you are looking for is not found as a result of their service, you still have to pay the fee. The processing time also varies from one office to another. Sometimes it takes only a few days, but it also may take several weeks at times.

According to §51 of the Federal Registration Law you can apply for a blockage of your personal information at your residents' registration office. To do so, you should prove that registration database can be a source of danger for you. That could be the case if you, for example, work in an area where many people are threatened (like a profession in fighting racism) or when someone is stalking you. The information blockage is valid for two years and can be extended upon request. Your resident registration office usually informs you before the blockage is automatically lifted.

In addition to the private registration services for individuals, there is also a commercial registry in every District Court ("Handelsregister"). You will find information on local companies if they are subject to mandatory registration. If you own a business or work as self-employed , you can register in the commercial registry.