A method and a device for identifying a position of a local coil of a magnetic resonance imaging scanner relative to a position of a patient couch are provided. The device includes at least one reading unit that is configured to determine a position of at least one label at the local coil relative to the at least one reading unit. The device also includes a position determination apparatus that is configured to determine the position of the patient couch relative to the magnetic resonance imaging scanner. The device includes a position determination apparatus that is configured to determine the position of the local coil relative to the patient couch based on the determined position of the at least one label and the determined position of the patient couch.