The Federal Office of Administration (BVA) is a higher federal authority and is responsible for approving the use of the federal eagle.

State emblems such as the federal eagle, the federal coat of arms and the federal service flag may only be used by federal authorities or for their official purposes. This also applies to representations of the federal eagle (e.g. coats of arms, parts of coats of arms and flags) that are confusingly similar to them. The Federal Office of Administration is not responsible for the coats of arms of the federal states. You can find out whether use is permitted from the respective state ministries of the interior.

As a rule, the use of national emblems is not permitted for you as a private individual, company or association. Please ask if you are not sure whether your (intended) use of the federal eagle, federal coat of arms or the federal service flag is permitted. You can simply attach drafts to the following form and have them checked.

If you have the impression that federal emblems are being misused, you are welcome to report this to the BVA at hoheitszeichen@bva.bund.de .
If you require approval to produce the large and small federal seals and would like to be included in the list of companies authorized to produce them, you can apply for approval in writing or by e-mail at hoheitszeichen@bva.bund.de can be applied for.

The federal coat of arms is the national coat of arms of the Federal Republic of Germany. It is designed in the colors black, red and gold of the federal flag and shows the black federal eagle on a golden-yellow shield tapered at the bottom.

The service flag of the federal authorities (federal service flag) contains the same horizontal stripes as the federal flag and the so-called federal shield. In contrast to the federal coat of arms, this is a semi-circular shield and the eagle is drawn slightly differently. The federal shield is used on the federal service flag, on the service flag of the naval forces of the Bundeswehr and on the troop flags of the Bundeswehr.

Note:
Please note that the use of federal emblems without authorization is an administrative offence and can be punished with a fine