Dortmund · Schulanmeldung
Checklist last verified 2026-07-28
Enrol your child in school in Dortmund
Schooling is compulsory (Schulpflicht) in Dortmund from around age six, and you enrol your child at the responsible local school or through the Schulamt. Children who don't yet speak German are usually placed in a welcome class (Willkommensklasse / Vorbereitungsklasse) until they can follow lessons in a regular class.
State schools are free; enrolment for the autumn start usually happens the winter or spring before.
School is compulsory (Schulpflicht) and a place is usually assigned by catchment area, with fixed registration windows you shouldn't miss. Which school type your child enters depends on age and, later, on recommendation. Bring the birth certificate, your registration certificate and vaccination proof (measles vaccination is mandatory to enrol).
What you need to bring
- Child's birth certificateRequired
📋 Bring the original, not a copy
How to get it: For a child born in Germany: the Standesamt of the birthplace issues it (the hospital sends the paperwork). For Elterngeld, ask for the special 'für Elterngeld' copy. Foreign certificates may need a certified translation.
- MeldebescheinigungRequired
📋 Bring the original, not a copy
How to get it: You receive it at your Anmeldung appointment at the Bürgeramt. Lost it? Request a new copy at the Bürgeramt (small fee, often bookable online).
- Vaccination record (measles proof required)Required
📋 Bring the original, not a copy
How to get it: The yellow WHO booklet — any doctor can issue one and transfer your vaccinations. Needed for Kita/school enrollment (measles proof is mandatory).
- Parent's & child's IDRequired
📋 Bring the original, not a copy
How to get it: Issued by your home country. Renew at your country's embassy or consulate in Germany — appointments can take weeks, so check the expiry early.
Useful links
Good to know
- Your address decides the catchment school (Sprengelschule) in most states — the Schulamt or city website tells you which school your child belongs to.
- Children arriving mid-year can start almost immediately; contact the Schulamt and they'll assign a place, often with a Willkommensklasse for German.
- For the regular autumn Einschulung, register the winter or spring before — cities send reminders, but new arrivals should approach the school or Schulamt themselves.
- Bring your child's vaccination record: proof of measles immunisation (Masernschutz) is legally required to attend school or Kita.
- After primary school (Grundschule) the system splits into different secondary tracks — ask the school for guidance on Gymnasium, Realschule and comprehensive (Gesamtschule) options.
Frequently asked questions
What do I need for Schulanmeldung in Dortmund?
You'll need 4 key documents: Child's birth certificate, Meldebescheinigung, Vaccination record (measles proof required), Parent's & child's ID. Dortmund and the wider Ruhr area share many North Rhine-Westphalia state portals, and appointments are usually quicker than in Cologne or Düsseldorf.
Can I do Schulanmeldung online in Dortmund?
Enrol your child in school in Dortmund is normally done in person — book an appointment at the responsible office and bring the documents from the checklist above.
Which office handles Schulanmeldung in Dortmund?
Enrol your child in school in Dortmund is handled at the local level in North Rhine-Westphalia. The exact office and any forms are linked from the official source on this page, and once you're on the portal, the free TiG Pilot extension explains each field in plain English.
Checklist last verified 2026-07-28. Rules vary by office and change over time — always confirm with the official source linked above.