Step 1: Registering with the registration office

If you are staying for more than three months, you must register with the Residents’ Registration Office at your address no later than two weeks after your arrival. You can register at the Service Centre of the City of Wuppertal’s Residents’ Registration Office. IMPORTANT: You can only be seen by appointment (you’ll find step-by-step instructions for booking an appointment online in the Download Centre on the right). -> Click here to book an appointment

Address of the Wuppertal Residents’ Registration Office

Döppersberg 41, 42103 Wuppertal
(from the city’s website)

If you live in another town, you must register with the Residents’ Registration Office there. You must carry out the registration in person, or through a representative authorised by you. There are no fees for registration.

The following documents must be presented when registering:

• Valid passport
• Certificate from your landlord

Step 2: Applying for or renewing a residence permit at the Foreigners’ Registration Office

Anyone coming to Germany needs a recognised and valid passport or passport substitute. In addition, non-EU citizens require a valid residence permit, such as a visa or a residence permit.

Once you have registered with the Residents’ Registration Office (see point 1), you must apply in good time for the issue or renewal of a residence permit at the relevant Foreigners’ Registration Office in the town where you are resident.

IMPORTANT: The Foreigners’ Registration Office has been severely understaffed for some time, so processing applications usually takes several months. For this reason, we recommend that you submit your documents for applying for or renewing your residence permit as early as possible via the contact form on the Immigration Authority’s integration portal. Once you have submitted your application together with all the necessary documents, your application is deemed to have been lodged and your right to reside is initially secured until you receive a response or a provisional residence certificate from the Foreigners’ Registration Office.

There is a scanner in the foyer of the Foreigners’ Registration Office which you can use if you do not have the means to scan your documents yourself. The information on the Integration Portal’s website is available in 16 languages. Click on the button with the globe to view the available languages.

EU citizens

Citizens of the European Union (EU citizens) and the European Economic Area (EEA) who are entitled to freedom of movement do not require a residence permit for their stay in Germany. You can find an overview of who is entitled to freedom of movement here.