Dokumente und Kopien: Beglaubigung

In many areas of daily life, there is a need to certify documents or copies, as well as copies or printouts of documents. The prerequisite for the official certification of documents and copies is that the original has been issued by a German authority or that the document or copy to be certified is required for submission to an authority, e.g. certificates, certificates of approval and notices.

Documents and copies may not be officially certified if:

• neither the original has been prepared by an authority nor is the certification intended for submission to an authority (e.g. so-called "Reich Citizen Declarations and Certificates, Financing Documents, Inheritance Matters"),
• the exclusive jurisdiction of another authority is given (e.g. civil status documents only the registry office, certified extracts from the real estate cadastre - only from the cadastral office),
• it is reasonable to assume that the original content of the document whose photocopy, copy or printout is to be certified has been altered, in particular if this document contains gaps, strikethroughs, insertions, alterations, illegible words, numbers or signs, traces of the removal of words, numbers and characters, or if the connection of a document consisting of several sheets is broken,
• instead of an official certification, a public certification is required, which is drawn up by a notary or a court and cannot be replaced by an official certification,

If the document is not written in German, a certified translation may be required to check the existence of a prohibition on certification. The provisions on the confirmation of foreign documents by legalisation or apostille remain unaffected.

• Proof of the applicant's identity (e.g. identity card or passport)
• Originals of the documents to be certified
• Copies, copies or printouts of the originals

Fees may apply, please contact the competent authority.

There are no deadlines to be observed

• Documents and copies: Certification
• certification confirms the correspondence of documents (photocopies, copies, printouts) or signatures with the original
• Documents are only officially certified if the original was drawn up by an authority or if the document is to be submitted to an authority
• this authority issues the certification (e.g. certified birth certificate - only at the registry office; Excerpts from the real estate cadastre – only at the cadastral office) in the municipality of the place of residence
• Signatures will only be officially certified if:
• the signed document is to be submitted to an authority, the signature is made in the presence of the clerk
• Exception: if a certification is required for use abroad, simple certification is not sufficient, an apostille is required
• Documents for Notarization of documents:
• Proof of the applicant's identity (e.g. ID card or passport)
• Originals of the documents to be certified
• Copies, copies or printouts of the originals
• Certification of signatures:
• Proof of the applicant's identity (e.g. ID card or passport)
• Document on which the signature to be produced is to be certified
• Deadlines: Certifications are usually processed immediately
• The responsibility lies with the municipality, the joint municipality and the city, as well as with each authority within the scope of its material competence.

The responsibility lies with the municipality, the joint municipality and the city, as well as with each authority within the scope of its material competence.