Bureaucracy and paperwork
The Bürgeramt, the Ausländerbehörde and the tax office: forms, deadlines and stamps.
36 words · Level B1
| German | Translation | Listen |
|---|---|---|
| die BehördeBehörden | authority | |
| das AmtÄmter | government office; office | |
| das BürgeramtBürgerämter | citizens' registration office | |
| die AusländerbehördeAusländerbehörden | immigration office | |
| die AnmeldungAnmeldungen | registration; reception | |
| anmelden | to register; to log in | |
| die AbmeldungAbmeldungen | deregistration | |
| das FormularFormulare | form | |
| ausfüllen | to fill out, to complete | |
| der AntragAnträge | application, request, proposal | |
| beantragen | to apply for | |
| die UnterschriftUnterschriften | signature | |
| unterschreiben | to sign | |
| der BescheidBescheide | information; notice | |
| die FristFristen | deadline | |
| die WartenummerWartenummern | queue number | |
| der AusweisAusweise | ID card | |
| der ReisepassReisepässe | passport | |
| der AufenthaltstitelAufenthaltstitel | residence permit | |
| die MeldebescheinigungMeldebescheinigungen | certificate of registration | |
| die GeburtsurkundeGeburtsurkunden | birth certificate | |
| die SteuernummerSteuernummern | tax number | |
| das FinanzamtFinanzämter | tax office | |
| die SteuererklärungSteuererklärungen | tax return | |
| die BescheinigungBescheinigungen | certificate | |
| der NachweisNachweise | proof | |
| die KopieKopien | copy | |
| beglaubigen | to certify | |
| die GebührGebühren | fee | |
| der SachbearbeiterSachbearbeiter | clerk | |
| zuständig | responsible | |
| die VollmachtVollmachten | power of attorney | |
| der WiderspruchWidersprüche | contradiction; objection | |
| der RundfunkbeitragRundfunkbeiträge | broadcasting fee | |
| die BankverbindungBankverbindungen | bank details | |
| der TerminTermine | appointment |
How these words get used
The first stop is the Anmeldung: you register your address at the Bürgeramt within two weeks of moving in, and you leave with a Meldebescheinigung. You nearly always need a Termin. Without one you draw a Wartenummer and wait. After registering, a letter about the Rundfunkbeitrag arrives. It is charged per household, whether or not you own a TV.
A Bescheid is an official written decision. If it is wrong you can file a Widerspruch, and the Frist for that is usually one month, stated at the end of the letter. The Steuernummer comes from the Finanzamt and is not the same as the lifelong tax ID you receive by post.
Verbs: anmelden and ausfüllen split (Ich fülle das Formular aus). beantragen and unterschreiben never do. The sentence to be ready for is Dafür bin ich nicht zuständig: that desk is not responsible, and you need another one.
Translations are written with AI and checked as I go. If one looks wrong, reply to any email and tell me.