A criminal record certificate 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 criminal record certificate.
There are the following types of criminal record certificates:
- Basic criminal record certificate
- extended criminal record certificate
- Certificate of Good Conduct for submission to a government agency
- European criminal record certificate
If you need the certificate of good conduct for personal purposes, you’ll need a standard certificate of good conduct. This is used, for example, for submission to your employer.
You’ll need an extended criminal record check if you
- plan to work with children and youth, for example at a school or a sports club, or
- plan to work with people who require care or with people with disabilities.
The certificate of good conduct for official purposes is intended exclusively for submission to a government agency, for example, if you need a driver’s license. The certificate is then sent directly to the agency that requested it from you. In addition to criminal court decisions, it also includes certain decisions by administrative authorities, such as the revocation of a professional license. If you suspect that the certificate contains entries, you can request that it first be sent to a local court of your choice so that you can review it there.
If you hold 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 includes information about entries in the criminal record of the home Member State in the language in which it was transmitted, provided that the home Member State requires such transmission under its law.
Certificates of Good Conduct can be requested online using BundID, through the city of Mainz’s online service without BundID, in writing by submitting an informal application, or in person by making an appointment in advance at the Citizen Service Center or at one of the local administrative offices.
You can apply for all types of certificates of good conduct online, in person at your local registration office (after making an appointment), or—under certain conditions—by submitting an informal written request to your local registration office. Certificates of good conduct are generally subject to a fee.
If you would like to apply for a certificate of good conduct online:
Go to the appropriate online service for applying for a certificate of good conduct and follow the instructions. Within Mainz, you can use the city’s online service, which does not require an online ID function. To apply for a certificate of good conduct if you reside outside of Mainz, you’ll need the following as proof of identity: an electronic ID card, an electronic residence permit, or an eID card—each with an activated PIN— a compatible smartphone with the AusweisApp2 app or a card reader, as well as, if necessary, a digital capture device (such as a scanner or digital camera) to upload supporting documents.
The certificate of good conduct you requested will then be mailed to your home address.
If the application was not successful, you will receive a 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 informal application for a certificate of good conduct to the registration office or citizens’ service center responsible for your area. You must prove your identity there. An official identification document is required for this purpose.
If necessary, you may need 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 applying from abroad, you can submit the application in writing directly to the Federal Office of Justice. To do so, your personal information and signature must be officially certified.
The certificate of good conduct you requested will be mailed to your home address.
If you are requesting the certificate to submit to a government agency, it will be sent directly to that agency. 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 review it there. You can then decide whether it should be forwarded to the government agency or destroyed.
