Everyday vocabulary A2

Telephone to authorities and hotlines

Professional conversation structure for booking appointments, queries and document status.

telefon behoerde kommunikation

What is that?

Telephone calls to authorities will be more efficient if you clearly structure your concerns.

Where do I do that?

Can be used with Bürgeramt (Citizens' office of the city administration), Ausländerbehörde (Immigration Office), Krankenkasse (health insurance), bank and service hotlines.

Required documents

  • Provide file number
  • Formulate your concerns in one sentence
  • Write down questions
  • Have the next step confirmed

Typical costs

Standard telephone costs only.

Note: Costs may vary by state or city.

Progress

  1. 1 Provide file number
  2. 2 Formulate your concerns in one sentence
  3. 3 Write down questions
  4. 4 Have the next step confirmed

Important German words & sentences

Ich rufe wegen meines Termins an.
Könnten Sie das bitte buchstabieren?
Wie lautet das Aktenzeichen?
Bis wann bekomme ich eine Rückmeldung?
Guten Tag, ich rufe wegen meiner Anmeldung an.
Können Sie mir den Bearbeitungsstand nennen?

Common mistakes

  • • Calling without a reference number and having to clarify things for a long time.

Official source