Notarisation of signatures
You can have your signature notarised under a document if you have to submit it to an authority or a body with public duties.
Description
The registration authority is responsible for the official certification of signatures if the signed document is to be submitted to a German authority or to a private body (company or bank) that is commissioned to fulfil public tasks or to assist in their fulfilment (e.g. receipt of loan applications for public funding).
You need an appointment to visit the Citizens Office .
Prerequisites
As a rule, signatures and hand signs may only be notarised if they are executed and recognised in the presence of a notarising official.
Note for declarations of commitment:
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You can only obtain notarised signatures on declarations of commitment from private individuals for visiting foreigners from the Foreigners Office.
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You can obtain notarised signatures on declarations of commitment from company or association representatives from the registration office.
The signature may only be notarised if the signed document is required for submission to a German authority or to a private body (company or bank) that is commissioned to fulfil public tasks or to assist in their fulfilment (e.g. receipt of loan applications for public funding)
Not to be notarised:
- Signatures that require public notarisation. These include notarised signatures under contracts or declarations in the area of family and inheritance law, in association and commercial register matters and land register matters. Here it is advisable to have the signature notarised by a notary.
- Signature notarisations intended for submission to a foreign authority or body are reserved for notary's offices.
- Signatures without accompanying text (blank signatures) may not be notarised.
Required documents
- Passport or identity card (original) of the person whose signature is to be notarised.
An additional power of attorney is not required.
Questions & Answers
- for signatures without text ("blank signature")
- if the text is written in a foreign language
- for submissions to foreign authorities
- if it is part of an affidavit
- if a public notarisation is required (for matters relating to inheritance law, family law, association law, land register, commercial register). You should contact a notary for this.