Walk-in, appointment or online: it depends on the city
Your certificate comes from the registration office of the place where you are registered. Choose your city to see how its offices issue it, whether a simple or extended version is on offer, and what a person acting for you has to bring.
Essen
Altenessener Straße 196, 45326 Essen
Book ahead, but check access first, as the building has stairs and a wheelchair lift that does not suit rollators.
Bring identification for a counter application and specify any additional information required. An extended certificate may include marital status or nationality. If your main home is in Essen and you are registering a marriage, the registry office prepares the relevant certificate as part of that process.
Essen
Rudolf-Heinrich-Straße 1, 45355 Essen
If you need step-free access at ground level, book an appointment here in advance.
Bring identification for a counter application and specify any additional information required. An extended certificate may include marital status or nationality. If your main home is in Essen and you are registering a marriage, the registry office prepares the relevant certificate as part of that process.
Essen
Hollestraße 3, Erdgeschoss, 45127 Essen
Skip the visit by ordering online, and the certificate will be posted rather than downloaded.
Bring identification for a counter application and specify any additional information required. An extended certificate may include marital status or nationality. If your main home is in Essen and you are registering a marriage, the registry office prepares the relevant certificate as part of that process.
Essen
Bürgermeister-Fiedler-Platz 1, 45219 Essen
Book an appointment even if you live in another part of Essen, and use the ramp for step-free entry.
Bring identification for a counter application and specify any additional information required. An extended certificate may include marital status or nationality. If your main home is in Essen and you are registering a marriage, the registry office prepares the relevant certificate as part of that process.
Essen
Kupferdreher Straße 86, 45257 Essen
Book a counter appointment, or choose another branch if you need step-free access, as there are only stairs.
Bring identification for a counter application and specify any additional information required. An extended certificate may include marital status or nationality. If your main home is in Essen and you are registering a marriage, the registry office prepares the relevant certificate as part of that process.
Essen
Kaiser-Otto-Platz 1–5, Globus Center, 45276 Essen
Book an appointment at the counter inside the Globus Center, which you can reach by lift.
Bring identification for a counter application and specify any additional information required. An extended certificate may include marital status or nationality. If your main home is in Essen and you are registering a marriage, the registry office prepares the relevant certificate as part of that process.
Related services
For people who cannot cover rent, food or other basic costs. See whether the Sozialamt or the Jobcenter is your starting point and how to reach them.
For freelancers, sole traders and new business owners. See how tax registration works, what the Steuernummer is for and which tax office can help.
For people who already live in Germany and move to a new home. See how to update your registered address and which office takes it.
For students, workers and family members from outside the EU. See which office handles your stay and how applications start.
For anyone moving into a home in Germany from another country. See what the registration involves and which office in your city deals with it.
For anyone giving up their last home in Germany. See when you need to report your departure and which office accepts it.
Other countries
Moving on, or comparing before you decide? See how this works elsewhere.
Most offices in Elche, Córdoba, and Valencia
Most offices in The Hague, Arnhem, and Nijmegen
Most offices in Antwerp, Ghent, and Bruges
Most offices in Warsaw, Lublin, and Gdynia
Where to next
For anyone who has to show where they live. See what the certificate covers and which office in your city issues it.
Jump straight to another part of the manual.