Resident Registration

(Symbolbild) Beine wartender Menschen in einer Schlange — CC0 Creative Commons

Everyone who moves into a house or flat in Germany is obliged to register. Within two weeks of entering the country you will normally have to register at the Residents' Registration Office or the Immigration Office. In the city of Essen the Welcome Centre of Essen is responsible for registration and a first advice of international academics according to § 18b to 18f.

Required documents

the document "Wohnungsgeberbescheinigung" (landlord's confirmation) (Essen, Duisburg (PDF))
your birth certificate
your passport or equivalent document

After registration you will receive

Taxpayer Identification Number ("Steueridentifikationsnummer"), which will be sent to you by post after you have registered
"Meldebescheinigung" which confirms that you have registered

Moving within Germany

Even if you are "only" moving within Germany, you still need to go to the Foreigners' Office or Registration Office in the city you are moving to to change your address.

EU-Nationals

If you are a national of an EU member state, you are not required to register with the Foreigners' Registration Office, but rather – just like every German – with the local Office of Residents' Registration (Einwohnermeldeamt or Citizens’ Office (Bürgeramt), also Local Authority (Bezirksamt)) within two weeks in your new place of residence; an exception is the city of Mülheim, where you should register centrally with the Foreigners' Registration Office. For Duisburg and Essen, make sure which local authority is responsible for your place of residence.

Attention: Due to the current corona situation, the opening hours below may differ.

Bezirksamt
Duisburg (DU)

Bezirksamt Mitte
Sonnenwall 73-75
47051 Duisburg
Phone: 0203-94000

E-Mail

Make appointments
online

Office Hours:
Mon-Wed 8:00 - 16:00 h
Thu 8:00 - 18:00 h
Fri 8:00 - 14:00

Stadt Duisburg

Bürgeramt
Essen (E)

Bürgeramt Innenstadt
Gildehof Hollestr. 3
45127 Essen
Phone: 0201-88 33222

E-Mail

Make appointments
online

Office Hours:
Mon-Tue 8:00 - 15:00 h
Wed 7:00 - 13:00 h
Thu 8:00 - 18:00 h
Fri 8:00 - 13:00 h

Stadt Essen

Non-EU and non-EEA citizens

After your entry into Germany you must register your new place of residence within two weeks. You must appear during office hours in the Foreigners' Registration Office (Ausländerbehörde) within this time frame. Please make an appointment to register well in advance. The responsible authority for your registration is the aliens authorities for the area in which you reside.

NB: An EEA national is a citizen of Iceland, Liechtenstein, or Norway.