Registering at the town hall · Español
Registering at the town hall in Spanish: 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 "usted" at the counter in Spain and greet first ("Buenos días"). In many towns you need a "cita previa" booked online or by phone.
How to read the sounds: Spanish is mostly read as written. In Spain, c before e/i and z sound like English th. h is silent. ñ = ny. rr is rolled. Stress is marked in CAPITALS.
Official names used
On this card: Ayuntamiento, empadronamiento, padrón, cita previa, certificado de empadronamiento. Official website checked on 2026-10-25:
- Empadronamiento (Padrón municipal): registration of your address at the town hall (INE, official legislation page)
- Punto de Acceso General: the Spanish government's access point to public services
12 phrases you will need
- 01PoliteBuenos días. Quisiera empadronarme, por favor.Say it like: BWEH-nohs DEE-ahs. kee-SYEH-rah em-pah-droh-NAR-meh, por fah-BORGood morning. I'd like to register my address, please.Register: Polite opener; "empadronarse" is the word for registering at the town hall.
- 02NeutralTengo cita previa a las …Say it like: TEN-goh THEE-tah PREH-byah ah lahsI have an appointment at …Register: Add the hour: "a las diez" (at ten).
- 03PoliteAquí tiene mi pasaporte y el contrato de alquiler.Say it like: ah-KEE TYEH-neh mee pah-sah-POR-teh ee el kon-TRAH-toh deh al-kee-LERHere is my passport and the rental contract.Register: Polite; hand the papers over as you say it.
- 04Neutral¿Necesito algo más?Say it like: neh-theh-SEE-toh AL-goh mahsDo I need anything else?Register: Short and neutral.
- 05Neutral¿Hay que rellenar algún formulario?Say it like: eye keh rreh-yeh-NAR al-GOON for-moo-LAH-ryohIs there a form to fill in?Register: "Rellenar" is the everyday verb for filling in a form.
- 06Polite¿Me pueden dar un certificado de empadronamiento?Say it like: meh PWEH-den dar oon ther-tee-fee-KAH-doh deh em-pah-droh-nah-MYEN-tohCan you give me a certificate of registration?Register: "Pueden" (plural) is common at a counter and sounds polite.
- 07Neutral¿Cuánto tarda el trámite?Say it like: KWAN-toh TAR-dah el TRAH-mee-tehHow long does it take?Register: "Trámite" means the official procedure.
- 08Neutral¿Hace falta cita previa?Say it like: AH-theh FAL-tah THEE-tah PREH-byahDo I need an appointment?Register: Neutral question.
- 09Polite¿Puede hablar más despacio, por favor?Say it like: PWEH-deh ah-BLAR mahs des-PAH-thyoh, por fah-BORCould you speak more slowly, please?Register: Polite; "usted" form.
- 10Neutral¿Dónde tengo que firmar?Say it like: DON-deh TEN-goh keh feer-MARWhere do I sign?Register: Neutral question.
- 11Polite¿Me lo puede escribir, por favor?Say it like: meh loh PWEH-deh es-kree-BEER, por fah-BORCan you write it down for me, please?Register: Polite; "lo" stands for whatever was just said.
- 12PoliteMuchas gracias, que tenga un buen día.Say it like: MOO-chahs GRAH-thyahs, keh TEN-gah oon bwen DEE-ahThank you, have a nice day.Register: Polite goodbye with the "usted" form "tenga".
Quick answers
What do I say to start at the town hall in Spanish?
Start with: "Buenos días. Quisiera empadronarme, por favor." (Good morning. I'd like to register my address, please.)
Should I use informal or formal Spanish at the town hall?
Use "usted" at the counter in Spain and greet first ("Buenos días"). In many towns you need a "cita previa" booked online or by phone.
How do I say I'd like to register my address in Spanish?
Try: "Buenos días. Quisiera empadronarme, por favor." (Good morning. I'd like to register my address, please.)
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