Police certificatesLast checked October 20, 2026
Police certificate for Germany
Certificate of ConductFührungszeugnisOnlineIn personBy postEmbassy or consulateOfficial page(opens in a new tab)
- Local name
- Führungszeugnis
- Issued by
- Bundesamt für Justiz (Federal Office of Justice), Federal Central Criminal Register
- How to apply
- Residents apply at their local registration office (Meldebehörde) in person or in writing with a certified signature, or online at fuehrungszeugnis.bund.de with the online ID function.
- From abroad
- Apply online via the BfJ portal, by posting the original official form with signature and personal data certified (e.g. by a German mission, foreign authority or notary) to the BfJ in Bonn with proof of prepaid fee, or in person at the BfJ in Bonn. Fax and email are not accepted.
- Fee
- €13Per certificate; same for the digital certificate. Missions may charge separately for certifying the signature.
- Notes
- Since 1 October 2026 a digital certificate (PDF to BundID mailbox) is available online, but it cannot be apostilled or legalised. BfJ says applications from abroad or needing apostille currently take longer than usual.
Not confirmed
We couldn’t confirm these on an official page. Check the official page.
- No standard processing time stated by the BfJ.
Official sources
These details come from the official pages below, checked on the date above.
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General information from official government sources, not legal advice. Rules and fees change: check the official page before you apply.
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