The register of associations is public and has the purpose of making the factual and legal circumstances of associations entered in the register of associations easily ascertainable for third parties at any time, thereby increasing security in legal transactions. In order for the association to become a legally capable association within the meaning of the German Civil Code after it has been founded, you must register it with the local court for entry in the register of associations. Upon completion of this registration, the association will be listed as a registered association. In order to avoid any disputes about the effectiveness of the registration, the registration should be made by all members of the board of directors without regard to the rules of the association's articles of association. The registration must be effected by means of a publicly certified declaration. This means that the declaration must be in writing and the signatures of the board members must be certified by a notary public. You can easily search the register of associations via the Internet.

For further concerns, please contact the local court responsible for the association's registered office. You can search for this court via the justice portal below.

• Federal and state justice portal - local and court directory