Certificate of good conduct
External content
Certificates of good conduct are requested by various private and public bodies. They serve as proof that someone has no criminal record.
Course description
You can apply for the certificate of good conduct online at the Federal Office of Justice or in writing (by post) and in person at the registration office of your main or secondary residence. If you apply in writing or in person, we will forward the application to the Federal Office of Justice for checking and processing. The certificate of good conduct will be issued here and sent either to you or to the named authority.
The information from the Federal Central Criminal Register is also commonly referred to as a "police certificate of good conduct". There are the following types of certificates of good conduct:
Certificate of good conduct for private purposes You will receive the certificate of good conduct in the post and can forward it to the organisation (e.g. association, personnel office) that has requested the certificate of good conduct from you.
Certificate of good conduct for a public authority If you need the certificate of good conduct for a public authority, the exact purpose will be noted in the application and the certificate of good conduct will be sent directly to them. If you want to find out beforehand what is on your certificate of good conduct, you can inspect it at a local court of your choice.
Extended certificate of good conduct An extended certificate of good conduct is primarily required for people who work or wish to work full-time or on a voluntary basis in the area of children and young people (e.g. schools, sports clubs). This certificate also contains entries that are of particular importance for checking suitability for working with children and young people. Due to legal regulations, the submission of an extended certificate of good conduct may also be required for activities in the adult sector (for example in certain facilities for people with disabilities or those in need of care). In this case, you will be informed by your place of work. To apply, you must submit written confirmation from the organisation requesting the extended certificate of good conduct. You can find a form for this request letter under " Links and downloads".
European Certificate of Good Conduct A European Certificate of Good Conduct is issued to persons who - in addition to or instead of German citizenship - are citizens of one or more other member states of the European Union. This certificate of good conduct also includes the entries that are stored in the criminal record of the country of origin.
Certificate of good conduct for volunteers If you need a certificate of good conduct or an extended certificate of good conduct for your voluntary work at a non-profit or comparable organisation, you will find all the information you need here.
Please note
You need an appointment to visit the Citizens Office .
Prerequisites
The prerequisite for applying for a certificate of good conduct is the completion of the 14th year of age. for young people under the age of 18, parents (legal guardians, legal representatives) can also apply for a certificate of good conduct. In the case of legal incapacity, only the legal representative of the person concerned is authorised to apply. The legal representative must provide proof of their power of representation when submitting the application; it is not legally possible to authorise another person to submit the application. However, it is possible to have the written application with an officially or publicly notarised signature delivered by a messenger.
Required documents
Personal application A valid passport or identity card is required for a personal appointment on site.
Online application If you have an electronic ID card, electronic residence permit with an activated online ID function or an eID card, you can apply for your certificate of good conduct online directly from the Federal Office of Justice.
Written application The following documents are required for a written application:
- The completed and signed application form . The signature must be officially notarised (by an authority with a seal) or publicly certified (by a notary) if the application is submitted in writing.
- Proof of payment of the fee of 13 euros or of exemption from the fee.
Depending on the type of certificate of good conduct, the following documents are also required:
- certificate of good conduct for a public authority: Purpose and exact name of the authority (address with postcode)
- Extended certificate of good conduct: Written request from the authority requiring the extended certificate of good conduct, confirming that the legal requirements have been met. You can find a form for this request letter under " Links and downloads".
- Certificate of good conduct for volunteers: Proof of voluntary, non-profit activity (issued in your name, stamped and signed by the institution/organisation you work for).
Questions & Answers
In the Federal Republic of Germany, criminal offences are recorded centrally at the Federal Office of Justice, Federal Central Criminal Register Office, in Bonn and stored for a statutory period of time depending on the severity of the offence.
The certificate of good conduct shows which entries were stored on the day it was printed out. The older it gets, the less reliable its validity. The requesting authority (e.g. a public authority or employer) decides how old the certificate of good conduct may be before it is accepted. In many cases, certificates of good conduct that are three months old are still accepted.
In individual cases, an exemption from the fee can be applied for in the case of persons without means or those working on a voluntary basis, on presentation of appropriate evidence.
Legal basis
§§ 30 ff. Federal Central Criminal Register Act (BZRG)