Which German authority handles what?

At a glance

Address and civil records

Your municipality (Bürgeramt, Standesamt)

Residence titles

Ausländerbehörde, locally responsible

Visas from abroad

German mission in your country of residence

Tax

Local Finanzamt; tax IDs from the BZSt

Jobs and child benefit

Bundesagentur für Arbeit and the Familienkasse

The bodies you will actually deal with

How responsibility is decided

Most of these bodies are locally responsible, meaning the office for your registered address handles your case. That is why moving between cities can change which immigration office, tax office or vehicle registration office deals with you.

A few are federal and identical everywhere: the tax identification number, child benefit administration and pension records sit at national level. For those, your address determines where letters go rather than who decides.

Official starting points

• Make it in Germany — the federal portal for skilled workers and their families.
• BAMF — the federal office for migration and refugees, for residence and integration topics.
• Federal Foreign Office visa service — for entry and visa procedures.
• BZSt — for the personal tax identification number.
• ELSTER — the official portal for filing tax returns.
• Bundesagentur für Arbeit — for jobseeking, benefits and child benefit.
• Anerkennung in Deutschland — for recognition of foreign qualifications.
• Your own city's website — for appointment booking, forms and local requirements.

Getting a stuck case moving

• Confirm you are dealing with the responsible office for your registered address.
• Put the request in writing with your file or reference number, and keep the sent copy.
• Ask for a specific document or decision rather than an update.
• If a deadline is at risk, say so in the letter and state the date.
• If nothing moves, ask what the formal next step is — many decisions carry a stated objection period.

What happens next

• You direct each task to the office that can actually decide it.
• Written requests with reference numbers create a record you can rely on.
• Local office pages give you the forms and appointment systems for your city.

Related questions

How do I find my responsible immigration office?

It follows your registered address. Your city's website names the office and its area, and moving to another city can change it.

Can I use any Bürgeramt in my city?

In many cities yes, which is useful when appointments are scarce. Check your city's booking page, because practice differs.

Who do I contact if two offices give different answers?

Ask each for their answer in writing, citing the other. Written positions resolve contradictions far faster than repeated phone calls.

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