First Phrases

Registering at the town hall · Deutsch

Registering at the town hall in German: 12 survival phrases

Register your address at the counter: say you would like to register, show your passport and rental contract, ask about forms, appointments and a certificate, and get it written down. Short phrases for the counter.

Phrases, not advice. These cards only help you say what you need. They give no medical, legal, tax or financial advice. For any decision, ask the pharmacist, doctor, bank or the official office.

Register: Polite (formal is safer). Use "Sie" at the counter in Germany and greet first ("Guten Tag"). Registering an address is called "Anmeldung" and is done at the Bürgeramt (also called Einwohnermeldeamt or Bürgerbüro); appointments are common.

How to read the sounds: kh = the ch of Scottish 'loch' (after a, o, u) or a soft hiss like 'h' in 'huge' (after i, e). ue = ü (say 'ee' with rounded lips), oe = ö. z = ts, v = f, w = v. Stress is in CAPITALS.

Your recording stays on your device.

Official names used

On this card: Bürgeramt, Anmeldung, Wohnsitz, Termin, Meldebescheinigung. Official website checked on 2026-10-25:

12 phrases you will need

  1. 01Polite
    Guten Tag. Ich möchte meinen Wohnsitz anmelden.
    Say it like: GOO-ten TAHK. ikh MURKH-te MY-nen VOHN-zits AHN-mel-den
    Good day. I'd like to register my address.
    Register: Polite opener; "anmelden" is the verb for registering.
  2. 02Neutral
    Ich habe einen Termin um … Uhr.
    Say it like: ikh HAH-be EYE-nen ter-MEEN oom … oor
    I have an appointment at … o'clock.
    Register: Say the hour: "um zehn Uhr".
  3. 03Polite
    Hier sind mein Reisepass und mein Mietvertrag.
    Say it like: heer zint mine RYE-zeh-pahs oont mine MEET-fer-trahk
    Here are my passport and my rental contract.
    Register: Polite; hand the papers over as you say it.
  4. 04Neutral
    Brauche ich noch etwas?
    Say it like: BROW-kheh ikh nokh ET-vahs
    Do I need anything else?
    Register: Short and neutral.
  5. 05Neutral
    Gibt es dafür ein Formular?
    Say it like: gipt es dah-FEWR ine for-moo-LAHR
    Is there a form for that?
    Register: Neutral question.
  6. 06Polite
    Kann ich eine Meldebescheinigung bekommen?
    Say it like: kan ikh EYE-ne MEL-de-be-shy-ni-goong be-KOM-en
    Can I get a certificate of registration?
    Register: "Meldebescheinigung" is the usual name of the certificate.
  7. 07Neutral
    Wie lange dauert das?
    Say it like: vee LANG-e DOW-ert dahs
    How long does it take?
    Register: Neutral question.
  8. 08Neutral
    Brauche ich einen Termin?
    Say it like: BROW-kheh ikh EYE-nen ter-MEEN
    Do I need an appointment?
    Register: Neutral question.
  9. 09Polite
    Könnten Sie bitte langsamer sprechen?
    Say it like: KURN-ten zee BIT-te LANG-zah-mer SHPREKH-en
    Could you speak more slowly, please?
    Register: Polite; "könnten" is the courteous form.
  10. 10Neutral
    Wo muss ich unterschreiben?
    Say it like: voh moos ikh oon-ter-SHRY-ben
    Where do I sign?
    Register: Neutral question.
  11. 11Polite
    Können Sie mir das bitte aufschreiben?
    Say it like: KURN-en zee meer dahs BIT-te OWF-shry-ben
    Can you write that down for me, please?
    Register: Polite; "aufschreiben" means to write down.
  12. 12Polite
    Vielen Dank, einen schönen Tag noch!
    Say it like: FEE-len dank, EYE-nen SHUR-nen tahk nokh
    Thank you very much, have a nice day!
    Register: Friendly, polite goodbye.

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Quick answers

What do I say to start at the town hall in German?

Start with: "Guten Tag. Ich möchte meinen Wohnsitz anmelden." (Good day. I'd like to register my address.)

Should I use informal or formal German at the town hall?

Use "Sie" at the counter in Germany and greet first ("Guten Tag"). Registering an address is called "Anmeldung" and is done at the Bürgeramt (also called Einwohnermeldeamt or Bürgerbüro); appointments are common.

How do I say I'd like to register my address in German?

Try: "Guten Tag. Ich möchte meinen Wohnsitz anmelden." (Good day. I'd like to register my address.)

Same errand, another language

Español Português Français Deutsch Italiano Nederlands

German, another errand

Pharmacy Doctor / GP Opening a bank account Tax office Renting a flat Christmas market Post office and parcels Registering at the town hall

All 8 × 6 survival decks · Phrases for an evening out

How it works

  1. Pick the errand and the language of the country you are in.
  2. Read the phrases: each has the English meaning, an easy pronunciation guide and a register note. Tap the speaker to hear it in your device's voice, or tap Practise to record yourself and compare with the model (your recording never leaves your device).
  3. Print the card or keep it open on your phone. The official names of offices and numbers are checked against the official sites; native-speaker review is still pending.
  4. Once you are settled, open Meet & Mint to find events near you, see who else is going, join alone and chat with the group.

firstphrases.app/survival/townhall/de/ · Phrases, not advice · Meet & Mint