You can apply for access to the Stasi records at the Federal Archives - Stasi Records Archive. You can apply for information, inspection of files and the release of duplicates.

Access to personal information:
The Stasi Records Act (StasiUnterlagen-Gesetz - StUG) distinguishes between records of the State Security Service relating to affected persons, third parties, beneficiaries and employees of the State Security Service. This distinction has significance for the scope of the right of access and the obligation to pay fees.

Affected persons are persons about whom the State Security Service has collected information on the basis of targeted information gathering and spying, including secret information gathering.

Employees of the State Security Service are full-time and unofficial employees.

Beneficiaries are, on the one hand, persons who have been substantially supported by the State Security Service or who have been spared prosecution. On the other hand, they are persons who promoted, prepared or committed crimes with the knowledge, acquiescence or support of the State Security Service.

Third parties are other persons about whom the State Security Service has collected information without this information having been purposefully collected and stored in a file specifically created for the persons concerned.

As a data subject, you have the right to view all information on your person contained in the existing and indexed documents of the State Security Service of the former GDR ("Stasi"). If the documents contain the code names of employees of the State Security Service who collected or used information about you, you can find out the names of these persons. To do this, you can submit an application to have the code names decoded after you have inspected the files.

Former employees and beneficiaries of the State Security Service have limited access rights. As such, you can view the information contained in the files kept on you by the Stasi. However, you will not be able to view reports you have written.

Information about you may also be contained in files that the State Security Service has created about other people. You yourself are then considered a third party and can apply for access to the documents as such. To do so, you will need to provide information that will enable the information to be found. In this case, the employees of the authority will be happy to advise you.

Access to information on other persons:
Access to information concerning other persons is generally not permitted.
However, exceptions apply to close relatives of missing or deceased persons. As a close relative or next of kin, you can obtain access to files if you can credibly demonstrate a legitimate interest in connection with the purpose of the Stasi Records Act. This is the case, for example, if the application concerns rehabilitation, the protection of personal rights or the clarification of the fate of the missing or deceased person.
You must therefore justify an application relating to a missing or deceased close relative accordingly.

Ask the Stasi Records Archive for advice on whether the requirements are met in your case.

You will receive access to the Stasi files in the form of

• written information,
• inspection of files or
• the handing over of duplicates.

You must apply for access to the Stasi files in writing or online.

Please note:
Stasi files are still being made accessible and usable. After a file inspection or if no documents were initially found when you first applied, a repeat application after a few years can therefore lead to new results.