Registering a secondary residence
Source: Serviceportal Rheinland-PfalzIf you move into an apartment that you do not primarily use, you must register it as a secondary residence. A secondary residence is any other dwelling that is not primarily used.
Please contact the registration office of your municipality or city administration. Today, this is usually integrated into the citizens' office.
You have several homes in Germany.
Your main residence is registered elsewhere.
Please note: In cases of doubt, the home you mainly use is the one where your main place of residence is located.
- Identity document (e.g. identity card or passport as proof of identity and to change the apartment details)
- Landlord's confirmation of residence which you will receive from the landlord.
You must register within two weeks of moving in.
- § Section 17 of the Federal Registration Act (BMG)
- § Section 21 of the Federal Registration Act (BMG)
- § Section 22 of the Federal Registration Act (BMG)
- § Section 23 of the Federal Registration Act (BMG)
- § Section 24 of the Federal Registration Act (BMG)
- 17.1, 17.3, 22 and 23 General administrative regulations for the implementation of the Federal Registration Act (BMGVwV)
Some cities levy a second home tax.
06.09.2019
Your responsible office:
Bürgerservice
From 01.05.2025, only digital photos may be used to apply for passports and ID cards.
You can take a photo at a self-service terminal in the Citizens' Service Center in Stadthaus Kaiserstrasse. If you have an appointment at one of the local administrations from May onwards, you must have a digital photo taken beforehand in a photo studio or drugstore. We are no longer allowed to use printed photos. We will not be able to process your application without a digital photo and a new appointment will have to be made.
Appointments can only be made online, except for the following services in the Citizens' Service at counter 20:
- Registration certificate/life certificate
- Collection of ID documents
- Activation of the online function and PIN change of the ID card
- PIN change of the electronic residence permit (but no activation. This is only possible at the foreigners authority)
- Change of address for ID documents
- Change of vehicle registration document
- Tax ID
Address
55116 Mainz
Remark:
Kaiserstraße townhouse (Lauteren wing)
Postal address
55026 Mainz
Contact
Telephone
Fax
Opening hours
Appointments are only possible by appointment. Make an appointment online
The opening hours of the Citizens' Service in the Citizens' Office are
Monday: 8 am to 12.30 pm and 2 pm to 6 pm
Tuesday: 8 am to 12.30 pm and 2 pm to 5 pm
Wednesday: 7.30 am to 1 pm
Thursday: 7.30 am to 1 pm
Friday: 7.30 am to 1 pm
Appointment customers should present the appointment confirmation sent to them by email at the information desk. They will then be granted admission. Please arrive on time for your appointment, i.e. not too early, but also not late. This is the only way to guarantee the security measures.
Please note that almost all services can also be provided at the local offices.