A German Certificate of Conduct may be required for immigration, residence, employment or other official procedures abroad. In Germany, this document is called a Führungszeugnis and is issued by the Federal Office of Justice (Bundesamt für Justiz). Processing times may vary depending on the type of certificate and the application procedure.
If you currently live in Germany, you can normally apply through the local registration authority responsible for your place of residence. You can also apply online through the official portal of the Federal Office of Justice if you have a suitable electronic identification document with the online identification function activated.
If you have already left Germany, you do not need to return to the country simply to apply for the certificate. People living abroad can apply directly to the Federal Office of Justice. German citizenship is not required. For a written application from abroad, your personal details and signature must be officially certified in accordance with the application requirements.
The online procedure is available only if you have a supported electronic identification document, such as a German identity card or an electronic residence permit (eAT) with an activated online identification function. A standard foreign passport, for example a Ukrainian passport without the required German electronic identification function, cannot normally be used for this online procedure.
This is particularly relevant for foreign nationals who previously lived in Germany and now need a German Certificate of Conduct for use abroad. This may include, for example, Ukrainian nationals who stayed in Germany under temporary protection pursuant to §24 of the German Residence Act. If the receiving authority also requires an apostille, the apostille procedure can be coordinated with the application for the Führungszeugnis. The apostille is handled by the Federal Office for Foreign Affairs (Bundesamt für Auswärtige Angelegenheiten – BfAA), while the Führungszeugnis itself is issued by the Federal Office of Justice.
A simpler option may be to use a document assistance service in Germany. We can help prepare the application, coordinate the apostille procedure where required, receive the completed documents in Germany where permitted and arrange international delivery.
This can help you avoid unnecessary travel to Germany and reduce the need to deal with several German authorities yourself.
You can request assistance with obtaining a German Certificate of Conduct with an apostille, or with arranging an apostille for an existing certificate, here.