Information from the Central Trade Register Application
If you need proof of your personal reliability in connection with the operation of a business, you can apply 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 want to exercise a business requiring a permit (e.g. restaurant, broker) or a business 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 admission to a trade, trade prohibitions, withdrawal of permits, concessions,
- renounce admission to a trade,
- decisions imposing fines on fines of more than EUR 200 in connection with the exercise of a business, and
- certain criminal convictions in connection with the exercise of a business.
Note: The Central Trade Register does not contain the data of all traders in Germany. These 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 on the business such as management, addresses and registered activity.
You can request information from the Central Trade Register directly online from the Federal Office of Justice (see also Information from the Central Trade Register Application in the online procedure) or in writing or in person from the competent authority under Land law.
If you would like to request information online:
- Go to the website of the Federal Office of Justice and follow the instructions.
- For the online application you need:
- a new identity card or an electronic residence title, each with an activated online ID function, as well as the AusweisApp2,
- a card reader for reading the identity document,
- a digital capture 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 personally:
- Contact the competent authority for you under state law.
- The application is then forwarded to the Federal Office of Justice in Bonn, which then provides 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.
If you wish to submit the application in writing:
- informal written request
- Contact the competent authority for you under state law.
- Send the application to the competent authority under state law. Your signature on the application letter must be officially or publicly certified.
- The application is forwarded to the Federal Office of Justice in Bonn, which provides 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.
Note: You cannot be represented by an authorized representative. However, your legal representative is also entitled to apply. If you act as a legal representative yourself, you must prove your power of representation.
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for natural persons:
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submit the application in person
- Representation by the legal representative of the natural person
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for legal persons:
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the application must be made by the legal representative of the company.
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- for natural persons:
- in case of personal application: identity card or passport,
- in the case of a written application: a copy of the identity card or passport,
- for electronic applications: identity card or electronic residence title, each with activated online ID function,
- for foreign nationals: additional proof of nationality, officially certified personal data and signature,
- where applicable, the address of the authority to which the information is intended and the intended use or business name.
- for legal persons:
- valid identity card or passport of the legal representative of the company (upon presentation of the passport : additionally current registration certificate),
- Excerpt from the commercial register,
- where applicable, the address of the authority to which the information is intended and the intended use or business name.
Fee: 13,00 EURPayment in advance: No
There are no deadlines to be observed.
Processing Time: 2 - 4 Weeks
Forms: no, informal application: informal application
Written form required: no, but alternatively possible
Lower Saxony Ministry of Economic Affairs, Labour and Transport
