Applications / Forms
Service content
Description of the
The certificate of good conduct is an extract, in particular of criminal convictions, which you can apply for from the age of 14 at the local authority / registration office responsible for you (citizens' office) or via the online portal of the Federal Office of Justice (see "Online procedure").
If you request the certificate of good conduct for submission to an authority, it will be sent directly to the authority. However, as the applicant, you can be granted access to the certificate of good conduct on request.
You can apply for a simple certificate of good conduct in person, in writing or electronically.
- If you are applying in person at the local council, you must present your passport or identity card.
- To submit an application electronically via the Federal Office of Justice’s online portal (see “Online procedure”), you will need either an identity card, an eID card with a domestic address, or an electronic residence permit, each with the online identification function activated.
- If you are applying in writing, your signature must be certified by an authority authorised to use a seal. Public certification by a notary is also possible. You must also state the purpose for which the certificate of good conduct is required. Information on certification can be found under "Further links".
It is not possible to submit an application through an authorised representative.
Prerequisites
- Completion of the 14th year of life
- In the case of legal incapacity, the application may have to be submitted by the legal representative
Required documents
For in-person applications: presentation of a passport or identity card
For online applications: identity card, eID card with a domestic address or electronic residence permit, each with the online identification function
activated For written applications: a signature that has been officially or publicly certifiedForms
- Informal application (with signature)
This wizard helps you to create an informal letter if the responsible office does not provide an application form.
- Informal application (with signature)
Costs
13,00 EUR
Fee exemption (see also under "Further links"): In the case of indigence (e.g. receipt of citizen's allowance, social assistance, child allowance in accordance with Section 6a of the Federal Child Benefit Act, BAföG or benefits in accordance with the Asylum Seekers Benefits Act), the Federal Office of Justice can reduce the fee or waive the costs on application. If a certificate of good conduct is required for the exercise of voluntary care (§ 19 Para. 1, § 21 BtOG) or voluntary work that is carried out for a non-profit organisation, for a public authority or as part of one of the services listed in § 32 Para. 4 No. 2 letter d EStG, there is no fee.
In the case of an electronic application, proof of the existence of a reason for the fee exemption must be provided electronically.
Legal basis
Further links
- Information on certificates of good conduct - Federal Office of Justice
- Information on the ID card app
- Digital administration - online ID card
- Online appointment booking
Make an appointment quickly and easily at our residents' registration office!
Notes
The following general explanations can be given on the certificate of good conduct:
- In addition to the Federal Central Criminal Register, convictions of offenders also appear in the certificate of good conduct, which any person over the age of 14 can apply for from their registration authority.
- However, there are a number of exceptions to the entry in the certificate of good conduct, e.g. the following:
- Provided that no other sentence is entered in the register, a conviction of up to 90 daily fines or up to three months imprisonment will not be entered in the criminal record (but will be entered in the central register, from which only certain authorities receive information).
- Furthermore, juvenile sentences of up to 2 years are not included if they are suspended on probation.
- There are also erasure periods for the certificate of good conduct; they are generally shorter than for the Federal Central Criminal Register (between 3 and 20 years, depending on the type of conviction).
Processing time
approx. 2 to 3 weeks