In a previous post I described my first attempts at getting registered in Denmark. Those first attempts were a failure. Luckily things started to look more positive from then on. Following the writing of that post I decided to email the state administration offices in southern Denmark and got a reply saying that I could use that e-mail to forward my application! So that is what I did.

A few days later I received a letter saying that I should turn up at the Aabenraa state administration office with my passport. As the offices were closed on Monday (for some employee training?) I went to Aabenraa yesterday with my passport. After waiting for around 30 minutes I was called in to an office, where they asked to see my photo-ID, printed off the registration certificate, and off I went – I am an official resident of Denmark!

Registration certificate – check! CPR number – to go!

The CPR number is the Danish personal identification number. You need it to to open a bank account, to rent a house and a million and one other things I am yet to discover. While the registration certificate is applied for at the state administration offices, the CPR number is applied for at the citizen service (Borgerservice) in your respective town hall.

I was quickly served at the citizen service. The process involved filling in one form and presenting my passport and residence certificate. I was also asked to select a doctor which I did from the list provided. I now have to wait for my CPR number to be issued.

Overall, as Judith Doyle had commented on my previous post, once I got to Denmark it was all quite easy. An added bonus was that everyone spoke English to me – that is, until the counter lady at the citizen service realised that Michael was Danish! From that point on all she spoke was Danish, even if her English was very good. I was quite surprised to say the least!