What is a registration certificate?
A registration certificate is an official document that confirms your registration and residence with the relevant registration authority. With this certificate, you document your current place of residence and the duration of your stay. The data is recorded in the registration register at your local registration office.
The so-called extended registration certificate is particularly essential for Naturalization , as it provides complete proof of continuous residence in Germany. But what exactly do registration certificates say and why do they play such an important role at Naturalization? Let's first look at the legal basis and the purpose of the application.
Definition and legal basis (§ 17 and § 18 BMG)
According to § 17 of the Federal Registration Act (BMG), you are obliged to register with the registration office (at your local citizens' office) within two weeks of moving into a new home. The same applies when you move out if you do not move into a new home in Germany. This obligation also applies if you change your main place of residence.
If you leave your home in Germany and do not move into a new one in Germany, you are obliged to deregister within two weeks. If you apply for a registration certificate, the registration office will issue you with a certificate containing your data in accordance with § 18 BMG.
The extended registration certificate contains the following data:
- First name and surname
- Date of birth
- Address (Main and secondary residence)
- Doctoral degree (if available)
The extended registration certificate in accordance with Section 18 (2) BMG is required for Naturalization . This also contains the registration or deregistration of previous residences as well as information on marital status and nationality. This information is necessary to prove your continuous residence in Germany.
Purpose and areas of application
The registration certificate is required for various purposes, including
- Naturalization procedure: Proof of uninterrupted residence in Germany.
- Employer: Confirmation of current place of residence.
- Credit applications: Proof of address for banks and financial institutions.
- Offices and authorities: Registration with schools, daycare centers or for social benefits.
Why is a registration certificate required for Naturalization ?
The registration certificate is a central document in the naturalization process to confirm your legal residence in Germany. It serves as official proof that you meet all the necessary requirements for Naturalization and have been registered in Germany without interruption.
Significance for Naturalization in accordance with the German Nationality Act (StAG)
According to the Citizenship Act (StAG), you must meet certain residence requirements for Naturalization .
§ Since the introduction of the new Naturalization Act on 27 June 2024, Section 10 StAG stipulates that as an applicant you must generally have lived legally in Germany for at least five years. This period can be shortened to three years if you can provide proof of a C1 certificate and demonstrate special integration achievements.
In order to prove this period of residence, you need the extended registration certificate in accordance with § 18 Paragraph 2 BMG, as it contains detailed information on previous residences and periods of residence. This means that your legal residence in Germany can be precisely verified.
Proof of residence and duration of stay
The extended registration certificate plays a decisive role at Naturalization, as it proves the following points:
- Complete residence: documentation of the entire stay in Germany (marked according to main and secondary residence)
- Move-in and move-out dates: Confirmation of when you moved into or out of an apartment.
- Secondary residences: Details of main and secondary residences if you have or have had several residences.
- Former places of residence: Proof of your place of residence, even if you have moved within Germany.
Difficulties with Naturalization?
What types of registration certificates are there?
When applying for a registration certificate, you can choose between the simple registration certificate and the extended registration certificate. Both documents differ in the information they contain and the intended use.
Simple registration certificate
The simple registration certificate contains only the most basic information about your current registration and serves primarily as proof of address. It includes:
- Full name
- Date of birth
- Current main and secondary residence
This certificate is often required for general purposes, such as for presentation to your employer, for registering children at school or as proof of address at banks.
Extended registration certificate according to § 18 paragraph 2 BMG
The extended registration certificate goes much further and provides a detailed breakdown of your registration history. It is particularly necessary for naturalization procedures and other official purposes where comprehensive proof of your residence is required.
This certificate contains:
- Details of current main and secondary residence
- Previous residences in Germany (date of moving in and date of moving out)
- Move-in and move-out dates
- Information on marital status
- Information on nationality
- Religious affiliation
- Gender
- Identity documents (Residence permit or passport)
- Spouse and minor children or, if a minor, the legal representative
- Date, place and country of birth
- Names (family name, first name, previous names)
Difference between extended and simple registration certificate
It is important to understand the difference between the two types of certificates:
Simple registration certificate:
- Current data only.
- No complete overview of your residence history.
- For general purposes such as employer verification.
Extended registration certificate:
- Contains further data such as previous dates of residence and length of stay.
- Essential for Naturalization, Settlement permit and other legal purposes.
- Complete representation of the residences.
When is which certificate required?
- For the Naturalization: Always an extended registration certificate to prove your entire stay in Germany.
- For employers or banks: A simple registration certificate is usually sufficient.
- For the Settlement permit according to § 9 AufenthG: An extended registration certificate is also required when applying for a permanent residence permit Residence permit , as this documents compliance with the residence regulations.
- For school and daycare center registrations: The simple version is sufficient to confirm your place of residence.
- Marriage: A registration certificate is also important for registering a marriage at the registry office.
- Documentation in the population register: Like the household certificate and the life certificate, the registration certificate is part of the data from the population register. You will also need this later as proof for pension purposes.
How to apply for a registration certificate
Applying for a registration certificate is usually straightforward, but you should make sure you follow the correct steps and have the necessary documents to hand. Here you can find out how to proceed step by step, what costs you will incur and what documents you will need.
Step-by-step instructions (online, in person, in writing)
Depending on your situation, you can apply for a registration certificate online or choose to visit us in person. Choose the method that suits you best:
Online application:
- Visit the website (service portal) of your local registration authority or use central portals such as service.bund.de.
- Log in with your Residence permit or a secure login (e.g. via the online ID function).
- Complete the online form and select the type of registration certificate (simple or extended).
- Pay the fees for the electronic registration certificate online.
- The certificate is usually sent to you by post or as a PDF document.
Personal application:
- Go to your local registration office (Bürgeramt, Bürgerbüro).
- Take all the necessary documents with you (see below).
- Fill out the application form on site or ask a member of staff to help you.
- Transfer the fees on site at the authority.
- You will receive the registration certificate either immediately, when you collect it or by post.
Written application:
- Request the certificate in writing by post if you are unable to attend in person.
- Enclose a copy of your residence permit and the completed application form.
- Enclose a stamped envelope and proof of payment of the fee.
- The registration office will send you the certificate by post once it has been processed.
If you are submitting the application as an authorized person for another person, a power of attorney is important and necessary. You cannot submit the application without a power of attorney!
Costs and processing times in Germany
The costs for the service of a registration certificate vary depending on the federal state and municipality. As a rule, you should expect to pay the following fees:
- Simple registration certificate: 5 - 12 euros.
- Extended registration certificate: 10 - 15 euros.
The processing times depend on how you apply for the certificate:
- Online application: 2-5 working days.
- In person: Immediate issue in many citizens' offices.
- Written: 1-2 weeks processing time.
Please note that in some cases it is also possible to obtain a certificate free of charge, for example for certain social applications or for students. In this case, you must submit an application for a fee exemption to the relevant social welfare office.
Required documents and evidence
Make sure you have all the necessary documents to hand before you submit your application. You will need the following for a successful application:
- Residence permit or passport: Valid photo ID for identification purposes.
- Application form for the registration office: Available online or on site at the Bürgeramt.
- Proof of payment: receipt for the fees paid (for written applications).
You may need to provide additional evidence for the extended registration certificate, especially if previous residence details are missing or incomplete. In this case, a rental contract or confirmation of re-registration may be helpful.
Common problems and solutions when applying
Despite careful preparation, you may encounter difficulties when applying for a registration certificate. Perhaps the certificate is not recognized, there are errors in the information, or you have lost the document. Here you can find out what to do in such cases.
What should I do if the registration certificate is not recognized?
Sometimes authorities or employers reject the registration certificate because it does not contain the required information or is not considered sufficient proof.
In such cases you should:
- Check which type of registration certificate is required: The problem often lies in the fact that an extended registration certificate is required instead of a simple one.
- Contact the authority or the recipient: Ask exactly what additional information is required. Previous residence details or information on marital status are often missing.
- Apply for a new registration certificate: If the current certificate is incomplete, apply to your registration office for a new extended registration certificate with all the required information.
If the registration certificate is still not recognized, obtain written confirmation of which documents are accepted and clarify the details directly with the issuing authority.
Errors in the registration certificate - how to correct them?
Have you noticed that your registration certificate contains incorrect or incomplete information? Mistakes can happen quickly, especially if you move house frequently or change your name.
In this case you should:
- Report the error immediately to the responsible authority: Go in person or contact the registration authority by phone to report the problem.
- Request correction: If necessary, submit proof such as your tenancy agreement, birth certificate or marriage certificate to confirm the accuracy of your details.
- Show the entry stamp in your passport: In our experience, it often happens that the date of entry is entered incorrectly when entering Germany for the first time. Show the entry stamp in your passport to avoid such a case!
- Have a new certificate issued: The corrected registration certificate should contain all the correct information. Depending on the municipality, the new certificate may be issued free of charge if the error was the fault of the authorities.
Lost registration certificate - What to do?
Have you misplaced or lost your registration certificate? No need to panic. You can request a new registration certificate from your registration office at any time.
This is how you proceed:
- Re-application: Apply for the certificate again, either online, in writing or in person. When doing so, state that you have lost the document.
- Have your documents ready: You will need your electronic Residence permit (eAT) or passport and possibly the application form for the reissue.
- Please note the processing time: As a rule, the new certificate is issued promptly. However, there will be another fee, which can be between 5 and 15 euros, depending on the municipality.
Tip: Always keep several copies or digital copies of important documents such as the registration certificate so that you can act quickly if you lose them.
Conclusion on the registration certificate for the Naturalization
As you can see in our guide, the registration certificate for Naturalization is an important component and a prerequisite. At the same time, the registration certificate will also help you in other important everyday situations. We have summarized the most important points of the topic for you here at the end and provide you with important tips.
Summary of the most important key points
- The registration certificate provides information about your registration in Germany and summarizes data about you.
- A distinction is made between the simple registration certificate (for the employer) and the extended registration certificate
- The extended registration certificate also contains information on religious affiliation, detailed information on previous places of residence and on spouses or children.
- You will need an extended registration certificate for Naturalization . This enables the authorities to better verify your legal residence.
- You can apply for the registration certificate in writing or online via the Citizens' Office service portal.
Important tips on the registration certificate for the Naturalization
- Note validity: The certificate should not be older than three months.
- Submit your application in good time: Allow sufficient time to avoid delays in submitting your application.
- Check online application: Many cities offer the option of applying for the certificate easily online.
FAQ - The most important questions about the registration certificate
The registration certificate is used to officially prove your current place of residence. It is always required if you need to prove that you are registered at a certain location, for example when dealing with the authorities.
The registration certificate is subject to a fee. The cost of a registration certificate varies depending on the city or municipality and the type of registration certificate. As a rule, the fee is between 5 and 15 euros.
A current registration certificate is required for Naturalization to confirm that you have been registered at your current place of residence for a certain period of time. This is an important part of the naturalization application to prove your legal residency.
The registration certificate is issued by the responsible registration office. In Germany, this is usually the citizens' registration office or residents' registration office in your town or municipality.
For Naturalization you need a current registration certificate that is not older than three months. Make sure that all your personal details are listed correctly.
Yes, the terms "Meldebescheinigung" and "Wohnsitzbescheinigung" are often used interchangeably. Both refer to a document that confirms where you are currently registered. However, there may be regional differences in language usage.
