First Phrases

Registering at the town hall · Italiano

Registering at the town hall in Italian: 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 "lei" at the counter in Italy and greet first ("Buongiorno"). Address registration is "residenza", handled at the Anagrafe (ufficio anagrafe) of the Comune; many offices work by appointment.

How to read the sounds: Italian is spoken as written. Double consonants (tt, ll, zz) are held longer. c before e/i = ch, g before e/i = j, gn = ny, gli = ly, sc before e/i = sh. Stress is in CAPITALS.

Your recording stays on your device.

Official names used

On this card: Anagrafe, Comune, residenza, appuntamento, certificato di residenza. Official website checked on 2026-10-25:

12 phrases you will need

  1. 01Polite
    Buongiorno. Vorrei richiedere la residenza.
    Say it like: bwon-JOR-noh. vor-RAY ree-kee-EH-deh-reh lah reh-zee-DEN-tsah
    Good morning. I'd like to apply for residence (register my address).
    Register: Polite opener; "vorrei" is the courteous "I would like".
  2. 02Neutral
    Ho un appuntamento alle …
    Say it like: oh oon ap-poon-tah-MEN-toh AL-leh
    I have an appointment at …
    Register: Add the hour: "alle dieci" (at ten).
  3. 03Polite
    Ecco il mio passaporto e il contratto d'affitto.
    Say it like: EK-koh eel MEE-oh pas-sah-POR-toh eh eel kon-TRAT-toh daf-FEET-toh
    Here is my passport and the rental contract.
    Register: Polite; hand the papers over as you say it.
  4. 04Neutral
    Mi serve qualcos'altro?
    Say it like: mee SER-veh kwal-koh-SAL-troh
    Do I need anything else?
    Register: Short and neutral.
  5. 05Neutral
    C'è un modulo da compilare?
    Say it like: cheh oon MOH-doo-loh dah kom-pee-LAH-reh
    Is there a form to fill in?
    Register: "Compilare" is the verb for filling in a form.
  6. 06Polite
    Posso avere un certificato di residenza?
    Say it like: POS-soh ah-VEH-reh oon cher-tee-fee-KAH-toh dee reh-zee-DEN-tsah
    Can I get a certificate of residence?
    Register: Polite request with "posso".
  7. 07Neutral
    Quanto tempo ci vuole?
    Say it like: KWAN-toh TEM-poh chee VWOH-leh
    How long does it take?
    Register: Neutral question.
  8. 08Neutral
    Serve un appuntamento?
    Say it like: SER-veh oon ap-poon-tah-MEN-toh
    Do I need an appointment?
    Register: Neutral question.
  9. 09Polite
    Può parlare più lentamente, per favore?
    Say it like: pwoh par-LAH-reh pyoo len-tah-MEN-teh, per fah-VOH-reh
    Could you speak more slowly, please?
    Register: Polite; "lei" form.
  10. 10Neutral
    Dove devo firmare?
    Say it like: DOH-veh DEH-voh feer-MAH-reh
    Where do I sign?
    Register: Neutral question.
  11. 11Polite
    Me lo può scrivere, per favore?
    Say it like: meh loh pwoh SKREE-veh-reh, per fah-VOH-reh
    Can you write it down for me, please?
    Register: Polite; "lo" stands for whatever was just said.
  12. 12Polite
    Grazie mille, buona giornata.
    Say it like: GRAH-tsyeh MEEL-leh, BWOH-nah jor-NAH-tah
    Thank you so much, have a nice day.
    Register: Warm, polite goodbye.

New in town?

More tools for people who just moved: converters, checklists and country guides.

Open Newcomer Kit

Quick answers

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

Start with: "Buongiorno. Vorrei richiedere la residenza." (Good morning. I'd like to apply for residence (register my address).)

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

Use "lei" at the counter in Italy and greet first ("Buongiorno"). Address registration is "residenza", handled at the Anagrafe (ufficio anagrafe) of the Comune; many offices work by appointment.

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

Try: "Buongiorno. Vorrei richiedere la residenza." (Good morning. I'd like to apply for residence (register my address).)

Same errand, another language

Español Português Français Deutsch Italiano Nederlands

Italian, 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/it/ · Phrases, not advice · Meet & Mint