Letter from the Bürgeramt (citizens' office): Anmeldung and ID card
The Bürgeramt (citizens' office) rarely writes to you, and when it does, it is usually about one of two topics: the duty to register your address (Meldepflicht) after a move, or the Personalausweis (German ID card). Both can be linked to fine proceedings (Bußgeldverfahren). Usually, however, the matter is easy to sort out by completing the Anmeldung (registration of your address) or applying for a new ID card. If you are new to Germany, you also need the Anmeldung for many other steps, for example to get your tax ID (Steuer-ID).
Typical letters
- Aufforderung zur Anmeldung (request to register your address)The deadline in the letter applies. By law, you must register within two weeks after moving in.
- Letter about an expired Personalausweis (German ID card)For an Anhörung (hearing) there is no legal deadline; the authority states a period for your reply in the letter.
What is the Bürgeramt responsible for?
As the registration office (Meldebehörde), the Bürgeramt handles Anmeldung (registration), Ummeldung (change of address) and Abmeldung (deregistration) and keeps the Melderegister (population register) up to date. If it has concrete indications that the register is wrong, it must investigate on its own initiative and correct the register.
It also issues Personalausweise (ID cards) and Reisepässe (passports) for German citizens. For residence permits (Aufenthaltstitel) of people without German citizenship, the Ausländerbehörde (immigration office) is responsible.
How do I contact the Bürgeramt?
For Anmeldung, Ummeldung and ID cards you usually need an appointment (Termin). Send replies to a letter in writing, with the reference number (Aktenzeichen), to the office named in the letterhead. If the letter is about fine proceedings, it is an Anhörung (hearing); you may comment, but you do not have to say anything about the matter itself.
Write your reply in German. The templates (Vorlagen) on this site are in German.
Which deadlines are often overlooked?
Anmeldung within two weeks: If you move into a home, you must register within two weeks after moving in. For this you need a confirmation from the Wohnungsgeber (the person providing the home), usually the landlord (Wohnungsgeberbestätigung).
Abmeldung when moving abroad: If you move out and do not move into a new home in Germany, you must deregister within two weeks after moving out, at the earliest one week before.
Valid ID from age 16: Germans aged 16 and over must have a valid Personalausweis. A valid passport (Reisepass) is also enough.
Common questions
How quickly do I have to register after a move?
Within two weeks after moving in. If you move abroad, deregister within two weeks after moving out.
What does late registration cost?
Late registration is an administrative offence with a fine of up to 1,000 euros. The authority decides how high it is in the individual case.
I am new to Germany. What depends on the Anmeldung?
After the Anmeldung, the Bundeszentralamt für Steuern (Federal Central Tax Office) sends your tax ID (Steuer-ID) to your registered address. The Beitragsservice (broadcasting fee service) also compares its data with the Melderegister.
Can I reply to the Bürgeramt in English?
Write your reply in German. German authorities work in German, so a letter in German is the safest way to make sure your reply is understood and processed. The templates (Vorlagen) on this site are in German.
Sources (German law and official pages)
- § 6 Richtigkeit und Vollständigkeit des Melderegisters (BMG)
- § 17 Anmeldung, Abmeldung (BMG)
- § 19 Mitwirkung des Wohnungsgebers (BMG)
- § 54 Bußgeldvorschriften (BMG)
- § 1 Ausweispflicht; Ausweisrecht (PAuswG)
- § 32 Bußgeldvorschriften (PAuswG)
- Bundeszentralamt für Steuern: Steuerliche Identifikationsnummer
- Rundfunkbeitrag: Fragen und Antworten zum bundesweiten Meldedatenabgleich
Research as of: 10 November 2026