Center for School and Youth Information (ZSJ)

Help with questions about schools and youth in Hamburg

You can contact the Center for School and Youth Information (ZSJ) in Hamburg if you have any questions about schools and youth. We will provide you with comprehensive information and advice. If we can't help you directly, we will connect you with the appropriate agency.

Detailed description

The Center for School and Youth Information (ZSJ) in Hamburg is your central contact for questions about schools and youth. It offers a wide range of support and advice:

  • Information and advice on educational pathways, recognition of educational qualifications and international preparatory classes
  • Examination of educational certificates from Germany and abroad for equivalence with Hamburg school qualifications
  • Support in applying for all-day education and care at schools (GBS)
  • Providing a school place in international preparatory classes for pupils from abroad without sufficient German language skills
  • Application and registration for external examinations
  • Acquisition of qualifications from general and vocational schools if no state or state-recognized Hamburg school is attended
  • Issuance of duplicate copies of certificates and pension certificates
  • Support in individual cases from the Office for School Ombudspersons
  • Advice on paths to higher school qualifications for holders of the first general education or intermediate school qualification
  • Conducting workshops for young people
  • Parent training for parents who are involved in school committees
  • Advising pupils and parents in school committees
  • Advice from ombudsmen
 

Information

Prerequisites

You can find out what requirements you may need to meet for your request from the responsible office or the school office.

Documents required

Which documents you need to submit depends on your request.

Please note

There are no special instructions.

Deadlines

Whether and which deadlines you have to observe depends on your request.

Procedure

  • You can find out the exact procedure for your request from the responsible department or the school office.
  • Please contact the relevant office during office hours if you have general questions about the Hamburg school system.

Processing time

How long it takes to process depends on your request.

Fees

Whether and what costs may arise depends on your request.

Legal remedies

No legal remedy is provided

Legal basis

No

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Keywords: SIZ School information center All-day care Supplementary examination Certificate of equivalence External examinations School attendance certificates International preparatory classes Parental advice Parent training Democracy education Ombudsman offices

Last updated: 09.02.2026