Applying for information from the central trade register

You can apply for information from the Central Trade Register online directly at the Federal Office of Justice or in writing or in person at the competent authority under state law.

If you would like to apply for information online:

• Go to the website of the Federal Office of Justice and follow the instructions.
• You will need the following for the online application:
  • a new ID card, an eID card or an electronic residence permit, each with the online ID function activated, as well as the AusweisApp2,
  • a card reader to read the ID document,
  • a digital capture device (e.g. scanner or digital camera) to upload evidence.
• The Federal Office of Justice will then send the information to your postal address or to the authority for which you have requested it.

If you would like to apply for the information in person:

• Contact the authority responsible for you under state law.
• The application will be forwarded to the Federal Office of Justice, which will then issue the information.
• The Federal Office of Justice will send the information to your postal address or to the authority for which you have requested the information.

If you wish to submit the request in writing:

• Send the informal written request to the authority responsible under state law. Your signature on the application letter must be officially or publicly certified.
• The application will be forwarded to the Federal Office of Justice, which will issue the information.
• The Federal Office of Justice will then send the information to your postal address or to the authority for which you have requested the information.

Note: You cannot be represented by an authorized representative. However, your legal representative is also entitled to apply. If you are acting as a legal representative yourself, you must provide proof of your power of representation. A commercial enterprise can also be represented by the authorized person of the commercial enterprise entered in the commercial or cooperative register.

Application from abroad

• You can only submit an application from abroad in writing.
• In this case, download the relevant form and fill in all the necessary information on the form.
• Send the form to the authority together with all the specified attachments.

For natural persons:

• You must submit the application in person or
• Your legal representative submits the application on your behalf.

For legal entities:

• the application must be submitted by the legal representative or the authorized person of the commercial enterprise entered in the commercial or cooperative register.

General: Application for information from the central trade register

For natural persons:

• when applying in person:
  • Proof of identity by means of an identity card or passport, additional proof of citizenship if necessary,
• in the case of a written application:
  • Copy of identity card or passport with officially certified personal data and officially certified signature,
• for electronic applications:
  • ID 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, as well as the purpose of use or the reference number.

For legal entities:

• valid identity card or passport of the legal representative or the authorized person of the business enterprise entered in the commercial or cooperative register
  • Please note that you must also submit a current registration certificate when presenting your passport.
• for electronic applications:
  • ID 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, as well as the purpose of use or the reference number.

For persons abroad

You can only submit an application from abroad in writing

• Complete the form "Application for information from the Central Trade Register for a person residing abroad" or "Application for information from the Central Trade Register for a legal entity based abroad"
• Submit all the required documents.

For natural persons:

• If applicable, separate proof with officially notarized personal data and officially notarized signature.
• Copy of proof of payment of the fee of 13 euros.

For legal entities:

• Separate form (form: "Application for information from the central trade register for a person residing abroad") with officially certified personal data and officially certified signature of the legal representative or the authorized person of the commercial enterprise entered in the commercial or cooperative register
• Extract from the commercial register
• Copy of proof of payment of the fee of 13 euros.

There is no deadline.

• § Section 150 of the Trade Regulation Act (GewO) - Information at the request of data subjects
• § Section 150a of the Trade Regulation Act (GewO) - Information to authorities or public clients
• § Section 150e of the Trade Regulation Act (GewO) - Electronic application

Objections to information from the central trade register and other applications that are to be rejected in the form of a judicial administrative act by means of a decision can be challenged with an application for a court decision.

Forms available: Yes
Written form required: Yes
Informal application possible: No
Personal appearance necessary: No

Online services available: Yes

The central trade register does not contain the data of all tradespeople in Germany. This can be found in the trade register, which contains information on the business owner such as name, date of birth and address, as well as information on the business such as management, addresses and registered activity.

21.06.2022