Requests for information from the Central Trade Register may be made online directly to the Federal Office of Justice, or in writing or in person to the competent authority under the law of the federal state in question. 

To request information online:

• Go to the Federal Office of Justice website and follow the instructions.
• You will require the following for an online request:
  • a new personal identity card, an eID card or an electronic residence permit, in each case with an activated electronic identification function, and the ‘AusweisApp2’ app,
  • a card reader to read the identity document,
  • a digital recording device (e.g. scanner or digital camera) to upload evidence.
• The Federal Office of Justice then sends the information to your postal address or to the authority on behalf of which you requested the information.

To request information in person:

• Contact your competent authority under the law of the federal state in question.
• The request is forwarded to the Federal Office of Justice, which then compiles the information.
• The Federal Office of Justice then sends the information to your postal address or to the authority on behalf of which you requested the information.

To request information in writing:

• Informal written request
• Send your request to the competent authority under the law of the federal state in question. Your signature on the request letter must be officially or publicly certified.
• The request is forwarded to the Federal Office of Justice, which compiles the information. 
• The Federal Office of Justice then sends the information to your postal address or to the authority on behalf of which you requested the information.

Note: You may not be represented by an authorised representative. However, your legal representative is also entitled to submit a request. If you are acting as a legal representative yourself, you must provide proof of your power of representation.