Information from the Central Trade Register shows whether you have previously violated any trade law provisions. 

This information also serves as proof of your personal reliability if, for example, you wish to practice a trade requiring a permit (running a restaurant or acting as a real estate broker, for example) or a trade requiring supervision (such as a used car salesman or travel agent).

The following events are recorded in the Central Trade Register:

• Refusals of applications for a trade permit, withdrawals and revocations of granted permits, disqualifications from practising a trade, refusals of requests for certificates of competency under Section 20 of the Explosives Act [Sprengstoffgesetz] and withdrawals of those certificates, withdrawals of authorisations to recruit or train trainees, prohibitions on employing, supervising, instructing or training children and young people,
• Trade permit waivers,
• Decisions on financial penalties of more than EUR 200 in connection with trade licences, and
• Certain criminal convictions in connection with practising a trade.

Note: The Central Trade Register does not contain information on all traders in Germany. This information can be found in the Trade Register [Gewerberegister], which contains details on company owners such as name, date of birth and address, and company information such as details of the executive board, addresses and registered activity.

Requests for information from the Central Trade Register may be made online directly to the Federal Office of Justice, or in writing or in person to the competent authority under the law of the federal state in question. 

To request information online:

• Go to the Federal Office of Justice website and follow the instructions.
• You will require the following for an online request:
  • a new personal identity card, an eID card or an electronic residence permit, in each case with an activated electronic identification function, and the ‘AusweisApp2’ app,
  • a card reader to read the identity document,
  • a digital recording device (e.g. scanner or digital camera) to upload evidence.
• The Federal Office of Justice then sends the information to your postal address or to the authority on behalf of which you requested the information.

To request information in person:

• Contact your competent authority under the law of the federal state in question.
• The request is forwarded to the Federal Office of Justice, which then compiles the information.
• The Federal Office of Justice then sends the information to your postal address or to the authority on behalf of which you requested the information.

To request information in writing:

• Informal written request
• Send your request to the competent authority under the law of the federal state in question. Your signature on the request letter must be officially or publicly certified.
• The request is forwarded to the Federal Office of Justice, which compiles the information. 
• The Federal Office of Justice then sends the information to your postal address or to the authority on behalf of which you requested the information.

Note: You may not be represented by an authorised representative. However, your legal representative is also entitled to submit a request. If you are acting as a legal representative yourself, you must provide proof of your power of representation.

Your competent authority under the law of the federal state in question

or:

Federal Office of Justice

Postal address:
53094 Bonn

Visiting address:
Adenauerallee 99-103
53113 Bonn

Tel: 0228 9941040
Fax: 0228 994105050

Office hours:
Monday: 7.30 to 16.00
Tuesday: 7.30 to 16.00
Wednesday: 7.30 to 16.00
Thursday: 7.30 to 16.00
Friday: 7.30 to 14.00

Telephone hours:
Monday: closed
Tuesday: 9.00 to 12.00 (midday)
Wednesday: closed
Thursday: 9.00 to 12.00 (midday)
Friday: closed

For natural persons: 

• you must make the request in person, or
• your legal representative can make the request on your behalf

For legal persons: 

• the request must be made by the legal representative of the company

For natural persons: 

• When submitting a request in person: 
  • proof of identity via a personal identity card or passport and, if required, additional proof of nationality,
• When submitting a request in writing: 
  • copy of your personal identity card or passport with officially certified personal information and an officially certified signature,
• When submitting a request electronically: 
  • personal identity card, eID card or electronic residence permit, in each case with an activated electronic identification function,
• if required, the address of the authority for which the information is intended and the intended purpose or reference number.

For legal persons: 

• valid personal identity card or passport of the legal representative of the company (a current certificate of registration is also required when presenting a passport),
• When submitting a request electronically: 
• personal identity card, eID card or electronic residence permit, in each case with an activated electronic identification function,
• extract from the Commercial Register [Handelsregister],
• if required, the address of the authority for which the information is intended and the intended purpose or reference number.

Per information request: EUR 13.00

Fee: EUR 13,00

None

2 to 4 weeks

Forms: none (informal request) 
Can I apply online? Yes
Do I need to apply in writing? No, but possible as an alternative
Do I need to apply in person? No

Federal Ministry of Justice and Consumer Protection

Federal Office of Justice
53094 Bonn

Tel: 0228 9941040
Fax: 0228 994105050

Adenauerallee 99-103 53113 Bonn, Stadt

53111 Bonn, Stadt

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