Apply for a certificate of good conduct

The certificate of good conduct is a document that certifies whether or not you have a criminal record. If you need to prove whether or not you have a criminal record, you can apply for a certificate of good conduct.

There are the following types of certificates of good conduct:

• simple certificate of good conduct
• extended certificate of good conduct
• Certificate of good conduct for submission to an authority
• European Certificate of Good Conduct

If you need the certificate of good conduct for personal purposes, it is a simple certificate of good conduct. This is used, for example, for presentation to your employer.

You need an extended certificate of good conduct if you

• work in the area of children and young people, for example in a school or sports club, or
• want to work with people in need of care or people with disabilities.

The certificate of good conduct for official purposes is used exclusively for submission to an authority, for example if you require a driving licence. The certificate of good conduct is then sent directly to the authority that requested it from you. In addition to criminal court decisions, it also contains certain decisions by administrative authorities, for example the revocation of a professional licence. If you suspect that the certificate of good conduct contains entries, you can request that it is first sent to a local court named by you so that you can inspect it there.

If you are a citizen of one or more other EU Member States or the United Kingdom in addition to Germany, you will receive the requested document as a European Certificate of Good Conduct. In addition to the German certificate of good conduct, it contains the notification of entries in the criminal record of the Member State of origin in the language transmitted, if the Member State of origin provides for transmission in accordance with its law.

• Third paragraph of the Federal Central Register Act (BZRG)
• Act on Costs in Matters of Judicial Administration (Judicial Administration Costs Act - JVKostG), Schedule of Costs - Annex (to Section 4 (1)) Schedule of Costs, No. 1331

• Identity card, eID card, or residence permit
• Identification with a passport is also possible at the registration office
• if necessary, further documents to prove certain details,
  • for example, a request from the employer to submit an extended certificate of good conduct

• Completion of the 14th year of life
• Legal capacity

You can apply for all types of certificates of good conduct online, in person at the registration office responsible for you and - under certain conditions - in writing at the registration office responsible for you.

If you would like to apply for a certificate of good conduct online:

• Go to the website to apply for a certificate of good conduct and follow the instructions.
• As proof of identity, you will then need an electronic ID card, an electronic residence permit or an eID card, each with an activated PIN, a suitable smartphone or card reader, the AusweisApp2 and, if necessary, a digital capture device (e.g. scanner or digital camera) to upload proof of identity.
• You will then receive the requested certificate of good conduct by post to your home address.
• If the application is not successful, you will be informed either immediately online or subsequently.

If you would like to apply for the certificate of good conduct in person or in writing:

• Submit an application for a certificate of good conduct to your local registration office or citizens' registration office. You must prove your identity there. An official identity document is used for this purpose.
• You may have to prove that you are a citizen of another EU Member State.
• The authority then forwards the application to the Federal Office of Justice.
• From abroad, the application can be submitted in writing directly to the Federal Office of Justice. Your personal details and signature must be officially confirmed.
• The certificate of good conduct you apply for will be sent to your home by post.

If you request the certificate of good conduct for submission to an authority, it will be sent directly to the authority. If you suspect that the certificate of good conduct contains entries, you can request that it is first sent to a local court named by you. You can then view it there. You can then decide whether it should be forwarded to the authorities or destroyed.

Further information on the written application:

When submitting a written application, the personal data (date of birth, surname at birth, possibly different surname, first name(s), place of birth, nationality, address) must also be stated in the informal letter of application to the registration office. The signature on the application letter must be officially or publicly notarised. If not already evident from the notarised signature, the accuracy of the data must be verified. It is recommended that you contact the relevant registration office before submitting the written application - also with regard to the payment of fees.

• Information on applying for certificates of good conduct on the website of the Federal Office of Justice (BfJ)

  Link exchanged.

• Information sheet on charging fees for the certificate of good conduct

• Application for a court decision at the OLG Hamm

• Apply for a certificate of good conduct in Mecklenburg-Vorpommern

  Display of performance in the source portal

Municipality or city