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BriefDiener
DE

Bürgeramt (citizens' office)

Aufforderung zur Anmeldung (request to register) from the Bürgeramt: what now?

What this letter means

The registration office (Meldebehörde) writes to you if it has indications that your registration data is wrong: for example because you live at an address but are not registered there, or because you are still registered at an address where you no longer live. It asks you to complete the Anmeldung (registration of your address) or to explain the situation.

If you do not register, do not register correctly or do not register in time, you commit an administrative offence (Ordnungswidrigkeit). The fine (Geldbuße) can be up to 1,000 euros; that is the legal maximum, and the authority sets the actual amount in each individual case. If a hearing form (Anhörungsbogen) is enclosed, fine proceedings are already under way.

Without the Anmeldung, you lack important documents, for example the registration certificate (Meldebestätigung). If you are new to Germany, your tax ID (Steuer-ID) is sent by letter to your registered address.

What to do now

  1. 1Check which address and which period are named in the letter.
  2. 2Ask your landlord or Wohnungsgeber for the Wohnungsgeberbestätigung (landlord's confirmation that you moved in).
  3. 3Book an appointment and register, or deregister your old home if you no longer live there.
  4. 4Before the deadline ends, reply to the authority in writing that you have registered or why your data is already correct. Write in German; the templates (Vorlagen) on this site are in German.
  5. 5If a hearing form (Anhörungsbogen) is enclosed, give your personal details and decide whether you want to comment on the delay, for example because you could not get an appointment.

How you can reply

Complete the Anmeldung and inform the authority

This is usually the fastest way. Enclose a copy of the registration certificate (Meldebestätigung).

Explain the situation

If you are registered correctly or do not live at the address named, write this and include proof, for example your rental contract (Mietvertrag) or the registration certificate from your new municipality.

Common questions

I could not get an appointment within two weeks. Is that my fault?

An administrative offence is committed by someone who intentionally or negligently fails to register in time. If you can prove that you tried to get an appointment in time, write this in your reply and include evidence, for example an appointment confirmation or emails.

Does my landlord have to give me the Wohnungsgeberbestätigung?

Yes. The Wohnungsgeber is obliged to help with your registration and to confirm in writing or electronically that you have moved in.

Sources (German law and official pages)

  1. § 17 Anmeldung, Abmeldung (BMG)
  2. § 19 Mitwirkung des Wohnungsgebers (BMG)
  3. § 54 Bußgeldvorschriften (BMG)
  4. § 6 Richtigkeit und Vollständigkeit des Melderegisters (BMG)
  5. § 55 Anhörung des Betroffenen (OWiG)
  6. Bundeszentralamt für Steuern: Steuerliche Identifikationsnummer

Research as of: 10 November 2026