Duty to register: In Germany, you are required by law to register your address or any change in your address to the authorities in your town/city of residence. This is important: you may have to pay a fine if you do not do this in time.
What document should I take with me when I register?
- Passport or identity card
- Foreign passport (if available)
- Electronic residence permit (if available)
- Confirmation from your landlord (e.g. rental contract)
Important: When you register, you will receive a Meldebescheinigung (confirmation of registration). Please keep this document in a safe place.
Registration: In Germany, when you move into a new house or apartment, you must register with the local authority within two weeks. You can do this at any Bürgerbüro (citizens’ office) in the city of Karlsruhe. Click this link to find the addresses of all citizens’ offices in Karlsruhe: https://www.karlsruhe.de/stadt-rathaus/service-buergerinformation/buergerdienste
Changing address: Even if you move into a new house or apartment in the same city, you must also register your change of address with the local authority within two weeks.
Make an appointment: It is often a good idea to make an appointment at your local citizens’ office before going. You can do this either by telephone – dial 115 (telephone service centre for the city and district of Karlsruhe) – or online at https://www.karlsruhe.de/stadt-rathaus/service-buergerinformation/terminvereinbarung