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Description of the
The legalisation of documents officially confirms that the content of a copy (transcript) is identical to the original document (original).
The authentication of signatures officially confirms the authenticity of a signature or a hand sign.
Notarisation of documents
You can only have written or electronic documents officially notarised if they have been issued by a German authority or are required for submission to another German authority. The notarisation is affixed to the copy or electronic document.
You can go to the authorities in person or be represented by someone to whom you have given written authorisation.
Notarisation of signatures
The official legalisation of a signature confirms that you yourself have signed the relevant text. Signatures are notarised on documents that have to be submitted to a German authority or have to be submitted to another authority due to a legal regulation. As a rule, signatures and hand signs must be executed or recognised in the presence of the certifying official.
An identity card or passport and the document on which the signature is to be or has been affixed must be presented to the authority. The document must then be signed or the signature recognised in the presence of the official. A notarisation note is then affixed.
Special information for the town of KitzingenIt is generally possible to have all types of documents notarised on presentation of the original and the copies you have made yourself. Exceptions are all civil documents, which cannot be notarised but must be requested from the relevant registry office. Documents that are not in German cannot be notarised.Required documents
Identity card or passport
for the certification of a document: original document
for the certification of a signature: written documentCosts
Official notarisations are generally subject to a fee.Special information for the town of Kitzingen- € 5.00 per page (€ 2.50 per page for identical documents)
- non-German documents 10,00 €
Legal basis
- Art. 33 Bavarian Administrative Procedure Act (BayVwVfG)
Notarisation of documents
- Art. 34 Bavarian Administrative Procedure Act (BayVwVfG)
Notarisation of signatures
- § Section 70 Competence Ordinance (ZustV)
- Art. 33 Bavarian Administrative Procedure Act (BayVwVfG)
Legal remedy
In the event of a negative decision, if the existence of a claim for certification is decided at the same time: depending on the area of law concerned, optional objection procedure or administrative court action; otherwise, administrative court actionFurther links
Special information for the town of Kitzingen- Online appointment booking
Make an appointment quickly and easily at our residents' registration office!
- Online appointment booking
Notes
§ Section 129 of the German Civil Code provides for "public notarisation" for certain written declarations (e.g. for the documents to be submitted to the land registry in accordance with Section 29 of the Land Register Code). In these cases, public notarisation by a notary is regularly required. Official notarisation by the municipality or administrative community is not sufficient for this purpose. Special legal regulations also apply in other cases. For example, the issuing of certified copies from official registers is often reserved for the authority keeping the register:
- Civil status certificates are not notarised. Birth, marriage, civil partnership and death certificates as well as notarised printouts from the respective civil status registers are only issued by the registry office (see "Related topics" - "Civil status certificate; application").
- Printouts from the register of associations or the land register can only be notarised by the respective local court.
The authenticity of public documents that are to be used abroad and have been issued by courts, state authorities or local authorities can be certified by legalisation or the issue of an apostille (see under "Related topics"). Official legalisation is generally not sufficient for use abroad.