Request information from the central trade register

You can request information from the Central Business Register online directly from the Federal Office of Justice, or in writing or in person from the authority responsible under state law.

If you would like to request the information online:

• Go to the website of the Federal Office of Justice and follow the instructions.
• For the online application you will need:
  • a new identity card, an eID card or an electronic residence permit, each with activated online identification function, as well as the AusweisApp2,
  • a card reader for reading the identity document,
  • a digital recording device (such as a 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 requested it.

If you would like to request the information in person:

• Contact the authority responsible for your case under state law.
• The request is forwarded to the Federal Office of Justice, which then prepares the information.
• The Federal Office of Justice will send the information to your postal address or to the authority for which you requested the information.

If you wish to submit your 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 certified.
• The request is forwarded to the Federal Office of Justice, which then prepares the information.
• The Federal Office of Justice will then send the information to your postal address or to the authority for which you requested the information.

Note: You cannot be represented by an authorized representative. However, your legal representative is also entitled to file an application. If you are acting as your legal representative, you must prove your power of representation. A business can also be represented by the authorized representative of the business registered in the commercial register or cooperative register.

Application from abroad

• Applications from abroad can only be submitted in writing.
• In this case, download the appropriate form and fill it out, providing all the necessary information in the form.
• Send the form, along with all the aforementioned attachments, to the authority.

For natural persons:

• You must 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 legal representative or the authorized person of the business registered in the commercial or cooperative register.

General: Application for information from the Central Trade Register

For natural persons:

• in person:
  • Proof of identity by means of an identity card or passport, possibly additional proof of nationality,
• in case of written application:
  • Copy of identity card or passport with officially certified personal data and officially certified signature,
• in case of electronic application:
  • Identity card, eID card or electronic residence permit, each with activated online identification function,
• If applicable, the address of the authority for which the information is intended, as well as the purpose of use or the file reference number.

For legal entities:

• valid identity card or passport of the legal representative or the authorized person of the business registered in the commercial or cooperative register
  • Please note that if you present your passport, you must also present a current registration certificate.
• in case of electronic application:
  • Identity card, eID card or electronic residence permit, each with activated online identification 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 file reference number.

For people abroad

You can only submit an application from abroad in writing.

• To do this, fill out 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”.
• Please submit all required documents.

For natural persons:

• If necessary, separate proof with officially certified personal data and an officially certified signature.
• Copy of the proof of payment for 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 business registered in the commercial or cooperative register
• Extract from the commercial register
• Copy of the proof of payment for the fee of 13 euros.

• Section 150 of the Trade Regulation Act (GewO) - Information upon request of affected persons
• 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 Business Register and other applications that are to be rejected by means of a judicial administrative act by means of a decision can be challenged by an application for a judicial decision.

The Central Business Register does not contain data on all businesses in Germany. This information can be found in the Business Register, which contains details about the business owner, such as name, date of birth, and address, as well as information about the business itself, including management, addresses, and registered activities.

• Identity card portal of the Federal Ministry of the Interior, Building and Community (BMI)
• Information about the AusweisApp2
• Electronic residence permit on the website of the Federal Office for Migration and Refugees (BAMF)
• Commercial register BfJ

  The online portal of the Federal Office of Justice offers you the opportunity to use services such as requesting information from the Central Business Register online.

• Grant access to the Central Business Register
• Any natural or legal person can obtain information about themselves from the Central Business Register.
• The central business register contains
  • certain violations by the applicant of trade regulations and
  • certain decisions by administrative authorities.
• The application can be submitted either to the authority responsible under state law or online to the Federal Office of Justice.
  • The competent authority under state law is generally responsible for receiving applications for information from the central business register.
• If the applicant lives outside of Germany, the application can also be submitted by post to the Federal Office of Justice.
• The applicant may only be represented by an authorized person if the power of representation is evident from the commercial or cooperative register.
• The legal representative of the natural person is also entitled to apply.
• Responsible for issuing the permit: Federal Office of Justice

Federal Office of Justice (BfJ)