Registration Questions

You do not need to register to use the Social Service Platform. However, there are some services that can be applied for directly on the Social Service Platform via a specific form. These services do require you to register either with a Federal User Account (Nutzerkonto Bund), an NRW service account (Servicekonto.NRW) or an electronic ID card.

If you register with a Federal User Account or an NRW service account,

you can access a wide range of related online services provided by towns, cities, ministries and local authorities alongside the Social Service Platform website.

When registering with your electronic ID card, you will only need your ID card and the associated PIN for future registration processes, meaning that you can complete a wide variety of paperwork and business affairs completely online and in a secure manner.

To create a Federal User Account, visit http://id.bund.de (no www.) and click on “Login here” and then “No user account yet? Register here” in the top right of the screen and follow the instructions.

Once you receive your registration link, it is valid for a period of 24 hours. After you activate the link, the registration process has been completed. If you do not complete the registration process within 24 hours, your registration details – including your username and the allocated password – will be automatically deleted and you will have to register again.

Inside your ID card is a chip that contains your personal data, such as your name, address and date of birth. This allows you to use your ID card online, regardless of which type of service account you choose. In order to register with your online ID card, you will need the following information:

• your ID card with the electronic ID function activated
• your six-digit PIN
• an NFC-compatible smartphone or a corresponding card reader (find a list of NFC-compatible smartphones that can be used for secure transactions and transferring information digitally here)
• the AusweisApp software developed by the German federal government
• if you are using your smartphone: the AusweisApp application on your smartphone, too  

If you register using your online ID card, you will only need your ID card and the associated PIN for future registration processes,

You can also use your online ID card to securely identify yourself online and also complete administrative paperwork or business affairs electronically. This saves time, money and unnecessary journeys. The data on your ID card is always transferred using end-to-end encryption. It cannot be intercepted or viewed by others. Find out more through this link.

If you cannot find the email to register for a service account in your inbox, please check your junk or spam folder. If you still cannot find the email, please check that your inbox has enough free space. If your inbox does have enough free capacity, please repeat the registration process. If you still do not receive a registration link, please contact the Social Service Platform information hotline on +49 (0)211 837-1955 between 8 am and 6 pm. (German speaking support only)

Click on “Log in with username and password”. If you have forgotten both or just your username, please select “Forgotten your username?” first, enter your email address and click on the blue “Request username” button. You will then receive an email containing your username.

Then reset your password. Click on “Forgotten password” at the bottom right of the same website. Enter your username and confirm the entry using the blue “Forgotten password” button. You will receive an email containing a link.

Click on the link in the email or copy it into the address bar in your browser. You can set a new password on this page. Make sure the password in both fields are identical and that you can remember your password. You will then receive a notification that your password has been successfully stored.

Now click on the “Back to Log in” link below and subsequently “Log in with username and password”. Enter your username and password carefully to access your service account.

Please contact the Social Service Platform information hotline on +49 (0)211 837-1955 between 8 am and 6 pm. (German speaking support only)