A certificate of good conduct is a document that certifies whether or not you have a criminal record. If you need to prove whether or not you have a criminal record, you can apply for a certificate of good conduct.
There are the following types of certificates of good conduct:
- Simple certificate of good conduct
- extended certificate of good conduct
- Certificate of good conduct for submission to an authority
- European certificate of good conduct
If you need the certificate of good conduct for personal purposes, you will need a simple certificate of good conduct. This can be presented to your employer, for example.
You need an extended certificate of good conduct if you
- work with children and young people, for example in a school or sports club, or
- want to work with people in need of care or people with disabilities.
The certificate of good conduct for official purposes is intended exclusively for submission to an authority, for example, if you need a driver's license. The certificate of good conduct is then sent directly to the authority that requested it from you. In addition to criminal court decisions, it also contains certain decisions by administrative authorities, for example, the revocation of a professional license. If you suspect that the certificate of good conduct contains entries, you can request that it first be sent to a local court of your choice so that you can view it there.
If you have citizenship of one or more other EU member states or the United Kingdom in addition to German citizenship, you will receive the requested document as a European certificate of good conduct. In addition to the German certificate of good conduct, it contains information about entries in the criminal record of the member state of origin in the language in which it was transmitted, if the member state of origin provides for transmission under its law.
You can apply for all types of certificates of good conduct online, in person at your local registration office, and—under certain conditions—in writing at your local registration office.
If you would like to apply for a certificate of good conduct online:
- Go to the website for applying for a certificate of good conduct and follow the instructions.
- You will then need an electronic ID card, an electronic residence permit, or an eID card, each with an activated PIN, a suitable smartphone or card reader, the AusweisApp2 app, and, if necessary, a digital recording device (e.g., scanner or digital camera) to upload evidence as proof of identity.
- The certificate of good conduct you have applied for will then be sent to your home address by mail.
- If the application is not successful, you will receive notification either immediately online or at a later date.
If you would like to apply for the certificate of good conduct in person or in writing:
- Submit an application for a certificate of good conduct to your local registration office or citizens' office. You will need to prove your identity there. An official ID document is required for this purpose.
- If necessary, you may have to prove that you are a citizen of another EU member state.
- The authority will then forward the application to the Federal Office of Justice.
- If you are abroad, you can submit your application in writing directly to the Federal Office of Justice. To do so, your personal data and signature must be officially certified.
- The certificate of good conduct you have applied for will be sent to your home address by mail.
If you apply for the certificate of good conduct for submission to an authority, it will be sent directly to that authority. If you suspect that the certificate of good conduct contains entries, you can request that it first be sent to a local court of your choice. You can then view it there. You can then decide whether it should be forwarded to the authority or destroyed.
