Registration of Residence

It is very important that you register with you local police station （派出所）pàichūsuǒ within 24 hours of moving into your new apartment. They are responsible for your safety. You will need to take your landlord along as he will have to sign some forms too. You will need to take your passport and maybe some small photos. Your landlord will need to take along his I.D. and residence papers (户口) hùkǒu as well as the deed to his apartment. Basically the more documents you and your landlord take along the more chance of getting officially registered successfully in one go. Remember, you also need to re-register if you leave the country and return, even if you are living in the same apartment. There is a fee for this.

When you go traveling, and stay at someone’s house overnight, you are also required to register at your host’s local police station （派出所）pàichūsuǒ. There is a small fee for this.