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IMPORTANT: Select a location.To obtain application forms, location-specific information and contacts, select a town or zip code.

For an area outside of Lower Saxony and foreign languages, some menu items and functions are not available. Please go to the service page of the respective country.

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Which place to enter?

The location is used to determine the responsible office for the selected administrative service. In most cases you can enter your place of residence to find the competent authority. However, there are also cases in which a different location must be specified. Here are some examples:

Birth certificateYou want to get married and need a birth certificate. You live in Hanover, but you were born in Celle. You must therefore state your place of birth, i.e. Celle.

Business registrationYou would like to register a business in Braunschweig. Your place of residence is Hanover. You must therefore state the location of your future business, i.e. Braunschweig.

Apply for a building permitYou would like to build a house in Wunstorf and therefore apply for a building permit. Her place of residence is currently Hanover. You must indicate the place where the house is to be built. In this case it is Wunstorf.

Operation of a trade after the death of the trader without a qualified representative Authorisation

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After the death of a trader, the trader may be

  • of the surviving spouse or partner
  • of the minor heirs during the period of minority
  • the administrator of the estate, the administrator of the estate or the executor of the will

as a rule, are only operated by deputies qualified in accordance with § 45 of the Industrial Code (GewO).

Upon request, the competent authority may allow the trade to be carried on without such a representative for a period of up to one year after the death of the trader.

Special regulations for individual trades (e.g. crafts) remain unaffected by this.

Who should I contact?

Responsibility lies with the county, the independent city, the large independent city and the independent municipality in whose district the commercial enterprise has its registered office or the authority responsible under specialist law.

This procedure can also be carried out through a "Point of Single Contact". The "Point of Single Contact" is a special service offered by the municipalities and the state for service providers.

Which documents are required?

  • Information from the Chamber of Industry and Commerce or proof of a professional qualification in a relevant profession
  • Death certificate of the permit holder
  • An identity card or passport with a current confirmation of registration must be presented for identification purposes.

What are the fees?

Fees are charged in accordance with Appendix 1 to § 1 paragraph 1 of the General Schedule of Fees of the State of Lower Saxony (AllGO) in accordance with No. 40.1.15.

Process flow

1. immediately after the death of the trader, they apply to the competent authority for the intended continuation of the business without a qualified deputy.
2. the authority examines your application. In the event of a positive decision, you will receive a notification that you may continue the business for up to one year without a qualified deputy. After this period has expired, you must appoint a qualified deputy.

What deadlines do I have to pay attention to?

Deadlines may have to be observed. Please contact the competent authority.

Legal basis

Source: Serviceportal Niedersachsen (Portalverbund des Bundes und der Länder)

Further Links

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Single points of contact of the state of Lower Saxony, Single points of contact of the countries of Europe, advice and assistance for EU citizens and their families.
Access information on the single point of contact for the state of Lower Saxonyvisit Website Internal Market, Industry, Entrepreneurship and SMEsVisit advice and assistance for EU citizens and their families