Bürgeramt

Bürgeramt is a department of a German city or district administration that provides services to residents. It handles core civil administrative tasks, especially the registration of residents and changes of address, and the deregistration when leaving a municipality. In practice, this means processing Anmeldungen (registration), Ummeldungen (change of address) and Abmeldungen as required by law. The office also issues or processes essential identity documents such as the German identity card (Personalausweis) and passports, and provides certificates and confirmations needed for official procedures. For registration, a Wohnungsgeberbestätigung (landlord’s confirmation) is commonly required, and applicants must present valid identification.

Bürgerämter are typically located in the city hall or a dedicated municipal building and are run by the local government. Access usually relies on an appointment system; many municipalities offer online booking, digital forms, and e-services to reduce waiting times. Some services may still be available as walk-in, but lines can be long, especially in busy areas. Staff may provide information in multiple languages in larger cities.

Legal framework and naming: The main legal basis is the Bundesmeldegesetz (BMG). The exact scope of services and any fees are determined by state and local regulations, so practices vary by municipality. The term Bürgeramt is common, but some places use equivalents such as Bürgerbüro or Einwohnermeldeamt.