Certificate of good conduct; application for an extended certificate of good conduct

If you require an extended certificate of good conduct for official or private purposes, you can apply for this at the local authority responsible for you or via the online portal of the Federal Office of Justice.

You can apply for an extended certificate of good conduct at the local authority / registration office (citizens' office) responsible for your place of residence or electronically via the online portal of the Federal Office of Justice (see "Online procedure") if certain legal provisions require the issue of an extended certificate of good conduct or if you need this certificate of good conduct for

• the assessment of personal suitability in accordance with Section 72a of the German Social Code VIII Child and Youth Welfare,
• other professional or voluntary supervision, care, education or training of minors or an activity that is similarly likely to involve contact with minors.

When applying in person at the local authority, you must present your passport or identity card and the written request asking you to submit an extended certificate of good conduct. The written request must confirm that the requirements of § 30a of the Federal Central Register Act for the issue of an extended certificate of good conduct are met. In the case of self-employed persons, a certificate from the person making the application is sufficient.

To apply electronically , you will need either an identity card or an electronic residence permit with an activated online ID function; in this case, the certificate required under Section 30a of the Federal Central Criminal Register Act must be uploaded.

It is not possible for an authorized representative (e.g. lawyer) to submit an application.

Application by authorities

Since May 1, 2010, an extended certificate of good conduct can also be applied for by authorities for the purpose of protecting minors. The prerequisite for this is that the authorities require the certificate of good conduct to carry out their official duties and the request to the person concerned to submit a corresponding certificate of good conduct has been inappropriate or unsuccessful. It is always inappropriate to request the person concerned to submit an extended certificate of good conduct if a detrimental decision is intended for them and their cooperation cannot therefore be expected. In such cases, the requesting authority must grant the person concerned access to the certificate of good conduct on request. In all other cases, the cooperation of the person concerned is a mandatory prerequisite for applying for an extended certificate of good conduct.

Information on the content of extended certificates of good conduct can be found under "Further links".

• written request to submit an extended certificate of good conduct or, in the case of self-employed persons, the certificate of the person making the application
• when applying in person: presentation of passport or identity card
• for electronic applications: ID card, eID card with domestic address or electronic residence permit with activated online ID function in each case

• Completion of the 14th year of age
• Written request to submit an extended certificate of good conduct or, in the case of self-employed persons, a certificate from the applicant

2-3 weeks

13.00 EUR

Exemption from fees: In the case of indigence (e.g. receipt of citizen's allowance, social assistance, child supplement according to § 6a of the Federal Child Benefit Act, BAföG or benefits according to the Asylum Seekers Benefits Act), the Federal Office of Justice can reduce the fee or waive the collection of costs upon application. If a certificate of good conduct is required for the exercise of voluntary care (§ 19 Para. 1, § 21 BtOG) or voluntary work that is carried out for a non-profit organization, for a public authority or as part of one of the services listed in § 32 Para. 4 No. 2 letter d EStG, there is no fee.

If the application is submitted electronically, proof of the existence of a reason for the fee exemption must be provided electronically.