Register of Residents – Apply for a restriction on access to information
By placing a restriction on access to your data, you can ensure that your local authority will only disclose information from the register of residents (such as your name and address) in very limited exceptional circumstances.
Tip: If you only wish to prevent your details from being passed on to:
- the press, broadcasters and elected representatives for the publication of age and wedding anniversaries
- political parties, voter groups and other bodies submitting candidate lists in elections and referendums
In these cases, it is sufficient to lodge an objection to the disclosure of information with your local authority. No justification or legitimate interest is required for such an objection.
Responsible authority
the registration office for your place of residence
The registration office is
- the local council of your place of residence or
- the administrative association or the local authority that carries out the duties of the registration office on behalf of your local authority.
Contact
Details
Prerequisite
You must demonstrate a legitimate interest in refusing to disclose information from the register of residents concerning yourself. This is the case, for example, where there is a need to protect life, health, personal freedom or similar legitimate interests.
Procedure
You can apply for a restriction on access to information in writing or in person at the registration office in your place of residence. In doing so, you must demonstrate a credible interest worthy of protection.
Please note: If the registration authority records a restriction on access to information in the register of residents in accordance with Section 51 of the Federal Population Registration Act (BMG) (or lifts such a restriction), it must immediately inform the most recent previous registration authority and the registration authorities responsible for any other places of residence. These registration authorities must immediately record the restriction on disclosure in accordance with Section 51 of the Federal Population Registration Act (BMG) in the population register and delete it in the event of its lifting (Section 33(4) BMG).
Once a restriction on the disclosure of information has been entered, the registration authority may only provide information if it can be established that there is no risk to you. You will be given the opportunity to be heard before any information is disclosed.
Deadlines
None
Required documents
The registration authority may require the following documents:
- Identity card or passport
for written applications: a copy of the passport or identity card - in individual cases, documents to substantiate a legitimate interest
Costs
For the registration of the information block: none
Please note: The registration authority may charge fees for rejecting the requested restriction on access to information.
Processing time
Usually between two and twelve weeks. See also the ‘Notes’ section.
Miscellaneous
The restriction on access to information is entered in the register of residents for a limited period of up to two years. You may apply for an extension.
There is no provision for provisional restrictions on access under the Federal Registration Act. In order to grant the data subject a level of protection from the moment the application is submitted, the registration authorities must, as a precautionary measure, enter a restriction on access at the time of application, unless, in exceptional cases, it can be ruled out that the conditions for entering a restriction on access to information under Section 51(1), first sentence, of the Federal Registration Act (BMG) are met and the review procedure has not yet been completed.
Legal basis
- § 51 Auskunftssperren
Release note
machine generated, based on the German release by: Innenministerium Baden-Württemberg, 09.09.2026