How and why to register in a municipality?

What are the requirements for registering in a municipality? If you are asking yourself this question, it is important to know that being registered in the place where you reside is essential for carrying out administrative procedures and receiving notifications from the municipality. However, do you know what documents you need to register and what requirements you must meet? In this article, we will explain it in detail.

Firstly, it is important to note that, according to Law 4/1996, of January 10th, published in the BOE, anyone who lives in Spain is obliged to register in the Census of the municipality where they habitually reside. If you live in several municipalities, you only need to register in the one where you spend the most time each year.

But what documents are necessary to register?

In general, requirements may vary depending on what each municipality establishes. However, the following documents are usually required:

+A photocopy and original of the ID card or passport.

+Official documentation that certifies residence in the dwelling, such as the property contract, rental contract or any bill.

+Fill out the municipal census registration.

+In case of having children and wanting to register them, you must bring photocopies of their identity documents or the family book.

It should be noted that in some municipalities, additional data may be requested, so it is important to check the official website of the corresponding municipality to be aware of all the necessary information.

Regarding the requirements to request registration, it is necessary that your habitual residence is located in the city where you want to register. According to the National Institute of Statistics (INE), a person is considered to habitually reside in a dwelling when they spend most of their daily rest in said dwelling. It is important to note that it is not possible to register in the municipality where you have your second residence, as it is necessary to spend at least 6 months a year in the same dwelling.

To carry out the registration process, there are several alternatives. Firstly, you can go to the town hall of your locality in person. In addition, you can often request the census by telephone or through the internet, and receive it by postal mail. Most municipalities allow this procedure to be carried out through their official website, for which you will need the electronic ID card.

In summary, registering in your place of residence is a necessary and obligatory procedure for carrying out different administrative procedures. To do this, it is important to comply with the requirements and provide the necessary documentation, which may vary depending on the municipality where you are located. Do not hesitate to consult the official website of the corresponding municipality to be aware of all the necessary information.