A method and apparatus for a registration update of a mobile device (UE) in a communication network is described. The location of the mobile device (UE) is registered in a first registration area (A) and associated with a list of further registration areas (B). A registration area update is triggered when the mobile device (UE) is detecting a change of location to a second registration area. The registration area update is initiated with a random time delay after the mobile device (UE) detects the change to the second registration area if the second registration area is in the list of further registration areas (B).