Serviceportal–Baden-Württemberg
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Procedure descriptions
Apply for a certificate of good conduct (extended)
A certificate of good conduct provides information on whether the person named in it has a criminal record or not.
There are two types of criminal record certificates:
- the private certificate of good conduct (N) for private purposes (e.g. for presentation to an employer) and
- the official certificate of good conduct (O) for presentation to a German authority.
In particular, if you want to work with minors in a professional or voluntary capacity, for example as an educator, teacher, school bus driver, lifeguard or sports coach, you must present an "extended certificate of good conduct" on request.
The content of a certificate of good conduct is taken from the Federal Central Criminal Register.
The Federal Central Criminal Register contains, for example
- criminal convictions,
- certain decisions by administrative authorities and courts or
- court decisions and orders by a criminal prosecution authority by which criminal proceedings have been concluded without a conviction due to proven or unprovable guilt.
However, not all entries in the Federal Central Criminal Register are included in the certificate of good conduct.
Section 32 of the Federal Central Criminal Register Act (BZRG) determines the content of certificates of good conduct.
In addition, Sections 33 and 34 of the BZRG stipulate that convictions are no longer included in a certificate of good conduct after a certain period of time has elapsed, unless an exception pursuant to Section 33(2) of the BZRG applies.
In the case of "extended" certificates of good conduct, these privileges only apply in part or to a limited extent. This is intended to prevent people who have been convicted of sexual offences or other offences that are particularly relevant to the protection of children and young people from coming into close contact with minors.
Details
Prerequisite
The competent authority issues an extended certificate of good conduct if
- this is provided for in statutory provisions or
- it is required for the professional or voluntary supervision, care, education or training of minors or any other activity that is similarly likely to involve contact with minors.
Procedure
You can submit the application:
- In person at the registration office in your place of residence (Bürgerbüro) on presentation of your valid identity card or passport.
- In writing at the registration office in your place of residence, stating your personal details (date of birth, maiden name, possibly different surname, first name(s), place of birth, nationality, address). In this case, your signature on the application letter must be officially or publicly notarised. It is recommended that you contact the relevant registration office before submitting the written application - also because of the payment of fees.
- Via the online portal directly at the Federal Office of Justice. You will need the following for the online application:
- Your identity card, your eID card or your electronic residence permit with activated online ID function,
- the free "AusweisApp" from the federal government to read the ID card,
- a suitable smartphone or computer and a card reader,
- Your six-digit ID card PIN,
- any documents to be uploaded along with a digital capture device,
- in certain cases, a printer and
- a credit card to pay the fee.
Persons living abroad can apply for the certificate of good conduct in writing or via the online portal directly at the Federal Office of Justice. Further information can be found on the website of the Federal Office of Justice.
The following applies to all forms of application:
The application can also be submitted by a legal representative, for example the parents for their minor child, with proof of their legal power of representation . However, you cannot authorise another person to submit the application.
When applying, you must state whether you require the certificate for private purposes (N) or for submission to an authority (O).
If you require the certificate for private purposes, you will receive it by post directly from the Federal Office of Justice.
A certificate for submission to a public authority will be sent directly to that authority.
Therefore, please state the address of the authority and, if possible, the file number when submitting your application.
You can request to view the certificate of good conduct beforehand.
It will then only be sent to a local court named by you if it contains entries.
You can view it there. The local court will then forward the certificate of good conduct to the authorities. However, you can also object to the forwarding. The certificate of good conduct will then be destroyed.
Deadlines
For the application: none
Required documents
You must enclose a written request from the person requesting the extended certificate of good conduct with your application for an extended certificate of good conduct.
In this letter, the person must also confirm that the requirements for issuing an extended certificate of good conduct have been met. Please also note the information on the procedure.
Costs
as a rule: EUR 13.00.
Exceptions can be found in the information sheet on charging fees for the certificate of good conduct issued by the Federal Office of Justice. You can download it from the homepage of the Federal Office of Justice.
Processing time
Usually about one to two weeks. Processing times may be longer, especially if there is a high volume of applications.
Miscellaneous
On the website of the Federal Office of Justice you will find further information on the (extended) certificate of good conduct and the Federal Central Criminal Register. There you will also find the brochure "Apply for a certificate of good conduct online" as well as answers to frequently asked questions about certificates of good conduct.
Authorities can also obtain certificates of good conduct for certain persons without their involvement if they need them to fulfil their official duties.
The prerequisite for this is that the request to the person concerned to submit a certificate of good conduct is not appropriate or has previously been unsuccessful. The person concerned has a right of access to the certificate of good conduct vis-à-vis the authority.
Legal basis
Bundeszentralregistergesetz (BZRG):
- § 30 Antrag
- § 30a Antrag auf ein erweitertes Führungszeugnis
- § 30c Elektronische Antragstellung
- § 31 Erteilung des Führungszeugnisses und des erweiterten Führungszeugnisses an Behörden
Release note
machine generated, based on the German release by: Justizministerium Baden-Württemberg, 28.07.2025