As promised, here is the article on this basic and very important document:
What is it?
It shows where you live, i.e. your official address in Germany. Normally, if you are visiting someone here or getting a visit, you need to have this document, if you encounter a stubborn official. I would say that if you are staying more than just a couple of weeks, it would make sense to go and get one from the Einwohnermeldeamt. This is not applicable when you are just touring the country and you are moving from place to place in hotels or whatever.
Where to get it?
You can get the Meldebescheinigung from the Einwohnermeldeamt. This is normally part of the town administration, called the Bürgeramt. It makes sense to check the working hours of your local Bürgeramt, as they are often very restricted! The German officials, or Beamten, don't like to work so much ;)
How to get it?
You need to go personally to the Einwohnermeldeamt and bring your passport or ID card. Just say you are new in town and would like to get a Meldebescheinigung. They will make a copy of the passport and give you a couple of pages to fill out. You need to write your address, sex, religion (needed for the Kirchensteuer, if applicable; I will cover this church tax in a separate article), etc.
It saves time if you print and fill out their forms as much as you can even before you go to the Einwohnermeldeamt. Normally, the needed forms are online on the website of the Bürgeramt. It helps if you speak a little German to orient yourself around!
What do I need it for?
This document is needed for almost everything you could imagine, as it certifies your official address in Germany.
You would need it for:
- opening a bank account
- registering a car and getting the licence plates (will be covered as a separate topic)
- getting a job
- getting a job permit (depending where you come from; will be covered)
- getting into the health insurance system (will be covered)
- etc...
Costs
There are official fees for this document, depending on the town you are in. They vary between 5 and 10 Euro. Last time I needed a Meldebescheinigung for a friend, they did not charge me, though!
Questions? Just post a comment and I will try to answer it!
Thank you so much for this article!
ReplyDeleteit helped A LOT!
I'm a rather lost guy when it comes to beareaucracy or legal real life, and I'm going to Germany for student exchange, so it's safe to say you saved me A LOT of stress!
God bless you, and thank you!
Thank you so much for this!! Your article did help me a lot.
ReplyDeleteI'm going to fly to Hamburg on July 17th but I can only move in the dorm from August 1st, which means I have to find another place to stay from 17/7 to 1/8.
However in that time I have to get the Meldebescheinigung to activate my Sperrkonto so that I can pay for the dorm room.
So shall I go to the Einwohnermeldeamt of the neighborhood where I currently live (for the first few days) or to the Einwohnermeldeamt of the dorm's neighborhood to get the Meldebescheinigung? Could you please help me? I'll be really thankful!
Thaks for you info and effort
ReplyDeleteHi. first of all let me say this: great blog! Just what I was looking for :) secondly: what in there case you rent a flat? Don't you need to bring the landlord's written permission and/or the lease contract to the Einwohnermeldeamt with you?
ReplyDeleteI currently reside in gottingen.i will m9ve to passau in october after my language course ends here. My spouse needs this document as it is required for visa application in my home country.kindly guide me with the procedure how can i get this document?my spouse will be joining me in passau.
ReplyDeleteWould've been awesome if you had followed up with the "registering a car" article too... either way, this is super helpful!
ReplyDeleteDoes one have to go personally ?
ReplyDeleteno... just with original power of attorney and original passport of both
DeleteHi Auslaender, I felt very related with your Blog, I'm also in Berlin from more than 10year and engaged helping the international community! We developed a FREE multi-language Chatbot to fulfil the city registration Anmeldung in Berlin, Munich... https://AiRelo.Me would love to hear your feedback 8)
ReplyDeleteHello,i have left my room 3 month ago.and right now temporary i live with my friends to sharing his room in the same building.
ReplyDeleteI want to bring my wife, for that i am searching a new flat. But unfortunately till now i don't get any apartment. In this case is there any problem for my last Anmeldung?