Central trade register extract; application

For natural persons:

• You can submit the application in person or
• Your legal representative will submit the application on your behalf.

For legal entities:

• The application must be submitted by the business’s legal representative or the authorised representative of the business as entered in the Commercial Register or the Register of Co-operative Societies.

There is no deadline.

Application for information from the Central Trade Register for persons resident in Germany

For natural persons:

• when applying in person:
  • Proof of identity by means of an identity card or passport, if necessary additional proof of citizenship,
• if the application is made in writing:
  • Copy of identity card or passport with officially notarised personal data and officially notarised signature,
• for electronic applications:
  • Identity card, eID card or electronic residence permit, each with activated online ID function,
• If applicable, the address of the authority for which the information is intended and the purpose or reference number.

For legal entities:

• when applying in person:
  • a valid identity card or passport belonging to the legal representative or to the authorised representative of the business as entered in the Commercial Register or the Register of Co-operative Societies
    • Please note that you must also submit a current registration certificate when presenting your passport.
• if the application is made in writing:
  • Copy of identity card or passport with officially notarised personal data and officially notarised signature,
• for electronic applications:
  • Identity card, eID card or electronic residence permit, each with activated online ID function,
  • Extract from the commercial register,
  • If applicable, the address of the authority for which the information is intended and the purpose or reference number.

For people living outside the Federal Republic of Germany

• Form: ‘Application for information from the Central Trade Register concerning a person resident abroad’ or ‘Application for information from the Central Trade Register concerning a legal entity with links to a foreign country’

For natural persons:

• when applying in writing
  • Application form containing officially certified personal details and an officially certified signature
  • Copy of proof of payment of the fee of 13 euros.
• for electronic applications:
  • Identity card, eID card or electronic residence permit, each with activated online ID function,
• If applicable, the address of the authority for which the information is intended and the purpose or reference number.

For legal entities:

• when applying in writing
  • Application form containing officially certified personal details and an officially certified signature
    • the legal representative, or
    • the authorised representative of the business, as entered in the Commercial Register or the Register of Co-operatives.
  • Extract from the Commercial Register.
  • Copy of proof of payment of the fee of 13 euros.
• for electronic applications:
  • Identity card, eID card or electronic residence permit, each with activated online ID function,
  • Extract from the Commercial Register.

• If applicable, the address of the authority for which the information is intended and the purpose or reference number.

• Form for requesting information from the Central Trade Register in the case of a legal entity with links to a foreign country
• Form for requesting information from the Central Trade Register for a person residing outside the Federal Republic of Germany

Fee: 13 EUR

Prepayment: yes

• Section 150 of the Trade Regulation Act (GewO)
• Section 150a of the Trade Regulation Act (GewO)
• Section 150e of the Trade Regulation Act (GewO)

If you wish to challenge information contained in the Central Trade Register, you may do so by applying for a court ruling.

• Identity Card Portal of the Federal Ministry of the Interior (BMI)
• Electronic residence permit on the website of the Federal Office for Migration and Refugees (BAMF)
• Information on the ID card app
• Further information on extracts from the Central Trade Register is available on the website of the Federal Office of Justice (BfJ)
• Online appointment booking

  Make an appointment quickly and easily at our residents' registration office!

If you are resident in Germany, you can apply for information from the Central Trade Register online directly from the Federal Office of Justice (BfJ), or in writing or in person at the competent authority under state law. People living outside the Federal Republic of Germany can apply for this information via the BfJ’s online portal or in writing.

If you would like to apply for information online:

• Go to the BfJ website and follow the instructions.
• To apply online, you will need an identity card, an eID card or an electronic residence permit – each with the online ID function activated – as well as the AusweisApp.
• The BfJ will then send the information to your postal address or to the authority on whose behalf you requested it.

If you would like to apply for information in person:

• Please contact the authority responsible for you under national law.
• The application is forwarded to the BfJ, which then prepares the information.
• The BfJ will send the information to your postal address or to the authority on whose behalf you requested it.

If you wish to submit the application in writing:

• Send the informal written application to the authority responsible under state law. Your signature on the application letter must be officially or publicly notarised.
• The application will be forwarded to the BfJ, which will provide the information.
• The BfJ will then send the information to your postal address or to the authority on whose behalf you requested it.

Please note: You cannot be represented by an authorised representative. However, your legal representative is also entitled to submit the application. If you are acting as the legal representative yourself, you must provide proof of your authority to act on behalf of the business. A business may also be represented by the authorised representative of the business as entered in the Commercial Register or the Register of Co-operative Societies.

Application from abroad

• You can submit an application from abroad via the BfJ’s online portal or in writing to the BfJ.
  • If you are submitting a written application, please download the relevant form and fill in all the necessary details on the form.
  • Please send the application form, containing officially certified personal details and an officially certified signature, together with all the attachments listed, to the BfJ.

The Central Trade Register does not contain details of all traders in Germany. These can be found in the Trade Register, which

• Information about the business owner, such as their name, date of birth and address, as well as
• relating to the business, such as management, addresses and the registered business activities.