Applying for information from the central trade register

Information from the central trade register shows whether you have violated trade law regulations in the past.

The information also serves as proof of your personal reliability, for example if you wish to exercise a trade requiring a permit (e.g. restaurant business, estate agent) or a trade requiring supervision (e.g. trade in used motor vehicles, travel agency).

The following are recorded in the Central Trade Register:

• Rejection of the application for a trade license, withdrawal and revocation of granted licenses, trade prohibitions, rejection of the application for a certificate of competence and its withdrawal, withdrawal of the authorization to hire or train trainees, prohibition of employment, supervision, instruction or training of children and adolescents,
• Waive admission to a trade in certain cases,
• Decisions on fines of more than EUR 200.00 in connection with the exercise of a trade and
• certain criminal convictions in connection with the exercise of the trade.

The competent authority under state law is responsible for accepting applications for information on the Central Trade Register.

• § 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

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,
• if the application is made in writing:
  • Copy of the 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 and the purpose or 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 and the purpose or reference number.

For persons abroad

You can only submit an application from abroad in writing

• Please complete the form "Application for information from the Central Trade Register for a person domiciled abroad" or "Application for information from the Central Trade Register for a legal entity domiciled abroad"
• Submit all required documents.

For natural persons:

• If necessary, separate proof with officially certified personal data and officially certified 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.

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 commercial enterprise entered in the commercial or cooperative 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.
• For the online application you need:
  • a new ID card, an eID card or an electronic residence permit, each with an activated online ID function and the AusweisApp2,
  • a card reader for reading the ID document,
  • a digital recording 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 information in person:

• Please contact the authority responsible for you under national law.
• The application is forwarded to the Federal Office of Justice, which then issues 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 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 notarized.
• The application is forwarded to the Federal Office of Justice, which issues 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 appropriate form and fill in all the necessary information in the form.
• Send the form to the authority together with all the attachments mentioned.

• ID card portal of the Federal Ministry of the Interior, Building and Community (BMI)
• Information on the AusweisApp2
• Electronic residence permit on the website of the Federal Office for Migration and Refugees (BAMF)
• Central Trade Register BfJ

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

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.