Frequently Asked Questions
The Online Access Act states that Administrative services must be offered digitally in future. In order to fulfil this requirement, the Hessian Portal for Administrative Services will be virtually linked to the overarching portal network of Germany and the federal states. The portal network collects all information on Administrative services from Germany, the federal states and local authorities. The entire database is then distributed to the participating portals.
Registering a dog, finding the right contact for the new ID card or applying for a certificate of good conduct: The Hessian Portal for Administrative Services offers citizens and companies direct access to online information and services from Government agencies in Germany, the 16 federal states and the 11,000 municipalities.
Comprehensive information is provided for each Administrative service so that you can successfully complete your request: This includes a brief description of the Administrative service, necessary documents and requirements, information on contact persons with contact details and opening hours and - if applicable - on fees and deadlines.
Sometimes there is also further information, thematically relevant offers and corresponding legal bases.
If you can complete or prepare the Administrative service online, you will find a direct link to the online application.
You can find information on your request in four ways:
- Via the keyword search
- Via the Citizens navigation point
- Via the navigation point Companies
- Via the navigation point Search for government agencies
1. keyword search:
The keyword search provides you with search results for search terms that you can enter freely in the search field. The search takes place within the information offered in the Portal for Administrative Services (Services, editorial content, offices, online services). Search results are displayed for this content. The search does not include the Internet (no "search engine").
2. navigation point "Citizens":
The navigation point "Citizens" offers a thematic introduction to specific information areas via so-called life situations. For example, you will find information on "Health and prevention", "ID cards and documents" or "Work". The individual topics can be found below these life situations (for example, information on "Care" under "Health and care").
3. navigation point "Companies":
The "Companies" navigation point also provides thematic access to specific information areas via so-called life situations ("business situations"). For example, you will find information on "Being an employer", "Equipment, goods and materials" or "Research and development". The individual topics can be found below these life situations (e.g. information on "Occupational safety" under "Being an employer").
4. navigation point Search for government agencies:
The navigation point "Search for government agencies" leads to a directory of all Hessian government agencies. This can be searched by entering a keyword in the search field. You can freely select the search terms.
In the Portal for Administrative Services you will find a wide range of digital administrative services from all specialist areas and for different life situations. You have the following options for searching for the right service:
- Enter search terms in the first search field. Please select either the "Citizens" or "Companies" button above the search field (the default setting is to search in the "Citizens" section). Entering a Location is optional.
- Use the "Citizens" or "Companies" menu items to search for specific topics.
You can access our search function (the "search box") in several places. For example, on the home page (below the video), on the "Citizens" or "Companies" page and on the "Searchfor government agencies" page. Please note: Before entering the search terms on the start page, you must first select whether you want to search in the "Citizens" or "Companies" section.
It works in two ways:
- Keyword entry:
Here you enter the Administrative service, a keyword or a piece of information (for example "Register dog"). You can also enter several words.
After typing the first letter, suggestions for suitable search terms are displayed in the input field. This list of suggestions is sorted by Services, editorial content and Government agencies. - Enteringlocations and postcodes:
By entering a place name or postcode, you can restrict the information on Administrative services, which have different responsibilities, to your place of residence.
When you enter the name of a municipality/district or the postcode, suggestions for suitable locations are displayed.
Clicking on the search button will then take you to a hit list with further filter and selection options.
The numerous Administrative services are organised by topic to help you find your way around. A topic comprises a grouping of sub-topics with similar content that can be assigned to this topic area. The topic "Taxes and duties", for example, includes various sub-topics such as "Income tax", "Trade tax" or others that break down the topic and present it in more detail. The thematic structure leads you closer and closer to your goal with every click.
Under the navigation point "Citizens | Citizens" you will find life situations for citizens.
The "Companies" topic area also offers access to appropriately assigned information areas. For example, you will find information on "Being an employer", "Plant, goods and materials" or "Research and development". The individual topics can be found below these life situations (for example, information on "Occupational safety" under "Being an employer").
Where exactly do I have to go? When is the office open? Who is my contact person?
You can find answers to these questions using the Search for government agencies. The search there works as described above.
Search for government agenciesalso displays government agencies that are not assigned to any Service. This provides you with a directory of Government agencies throughout Hessen.
The note "Complete online" is displayed for Administrative services.
These are Administrative services that can be applied for online. However, not all Administrative services have been digitised yet.
The "Trust level" is specified under Online Services in the Portal for Administrative Services in Hessia.
What does this mean?
Trust level refers to the minimum requirement necessary for you to identify and authenticate yourself before you can use the online service.
The higher the Trust level, the more sensitive the data processed by the Online Service.
Example:
- If the Trust level is set to "low", you will need a user name and password to log in.
- If the Trust level is set to "substantial", you will need an ELSTER certificate with the associated password
- If the Trust level is set to "high", you will need an online ID with an associated PIN.
- If the Trust level is specified as "high +", there are additional requirements
- If the Trust level is specified as "undefined", the Trust level is not known
Good to know:
The Germany user account (BundID), which is also used in Hesse, uses three trust levels and identification methods:
- Basic registration (similar to Trust level "low"): User name and password
- Substantial: ELSTER certificate with associated password
- High: Online ID card with associated PIN
If you have any further questions, please contact the Portal for Administrative Services team using the contact form.
Anyone wishing to apply for a digital Administrative service online must usually identify and authenticate themselves. The BundID (formerly: Germany user account) can be helpful here. As in online shops, citizens can create their own BundID account and use it to identify themselves to the administration. Once registered, users will be able to authenticate themselves for all Administrative Services on any Portal for Administrative Services.
Please note:
The Hesse user account (also known as the "service account") has been replaced by the Germany ID (formerly also known as the "federal user account" or "NKB"). You can register online for the BundID. There was no automatic transfer from the Hesse user account to the Germany user account. Details can be found on our information page on the BundID.
External links to websites of other providers are labelled on our website with the following icon (for example www.hzd.hessen.de). Internal links that only link within this website can be recognised by this icon (e.g. Contact).