The German Commercial Register is a public register maintained by the competent register courts. It provides access to important registered information about German companies and businesses. Depending on the legal form, this may include the company name, registered office, legal form, capital and persons authorised to represent the company. Other corporate documents, such as shareholder lists or articles of association, may also be available separately in the register.
If you need information about a German company, the Commercial Register is usually one of the first sources to check. Companies registered throughout Germany can now be searched through the common Registerportal of the German federal states. In many cases, the company can be found using its name even if you do not know the register number or the responsible register court.
Standard register information and electronically available register documents can be accessed online through the official portal. If you need an official or certified document issued by a register court, a separate application and court fee may be required. The exact procedure depends on the type of document and the responsible court.
If you need the document for an official procedure or for use outside Germany, it may be more convenient to order it through a specialised service. We can identify the relevant company records, obtain the required extract and arrange an official or certified version with an apostille if required.
When ordering a commercial register extract, you may see several different document types. The three main types are explained below:
Current Extract (AD)
The Current Extract, known in German as the Aktueller Abdruck (AD), shows the entries that are currently valid in the Commercial Register. It is normally the most suitable option if you need up-to-date information about a company. If required, an official or certified version can also be obtained for further authentication or apostille procedures.
Chronological Extract (CD)
The Chronological Extract, or Chronologischer Abdruck (CD), contains the register information recorded since the relevant register was converted to electronic form. It shows changes in chronological order and is useful when you need to review the company’s more recent registration history.
Historical Extract (HD)
The Historical Extract, or Historischer Abdruck (HD), contains register information from the period before the register was converted to electronic form. It is useful when you need older information that is not included in the chronological extract.
AD, CD and HD extracts can be obtained through the German Commercial Register. Which type you need depends on whether you require the current company information, its more recent registration history or records from before the transition to the electronic register.
If the document will be used outside Germany, an electronic register extract may not be sufficient for the receiving authority. Depending on the purpose and destination country, you may need an official or certified document and an apostille or another form of authentication.
Order an AD, CD or HD Commercial Register extract Order now