City Resident Affairs

Certifications of copies of official documents for submission to an authority and for private law purposes

Would you like to have an official document certified? Here's how.

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Detailed description

Each authority can officially certify copies / photocopies of documents that it has issued itself or that are intended for its own use.

In addition, the registration authority responsible for the person concerned is authorized to officially certify documents that have been issued by a German authority or copies of which are required for submission to an authority.

Official notarizations are not possible for private documents that are to be used privately. Signature authentication for other purposes or public authentication (§ 129 BGB), as well as signatures without associated text can be requested from a notary.

Civil status documents or copies from civil status books may only be certified by the registry office that issued the civil status certificate (duplicate or certified copy).

 

Information

Prerequisites

A copy can only be certified if the original was issued by an authority or if the copy is required for submission to an authority.

Documents required

Bring original documents and copies if necessary.

Please note

Copies of the following documents can be certified for submission to an authority:

  • Originals issued by an authority (e.g. state school certificates, identification documents (identity cards), certificates of doctorate, citizenship, license to practice medicine, etc.)
  • Originals that were not issued by an authority (e.g. employment references).

Certification for pension purposes

  • Certifications of originals that were not issued by an authority are free of charge for pension purposes (proof of pension receipt or application required).

Power of attorney

  • Certification is carried out on a certificate or document-related basis and not on a personal basis, which is why a person who is not affected can also apply for it without a power of attorney.

Deadlines

No

Procedure

  • You can arrange an appointment online or by calling 115.
  • They must appear in person at the relevant office.
  • Please bring all necessary documents to the appointment.
  • Your documents will be checked and certified on site.
  • You pay the fee if the authentication is not free of charge.
  • You will usually receive the certified documents back immediately.

Processing time

Depending on the number of notifications.

Fees

4 EUR for up to four pages, and 1 EUR for each additional page from the 5th page onwards. If copies are required, they cost 0.70 EUR per page.


If you bring your own copies, the fee is €4 for up to two pages and €2 for each additional page beyond the third, due to the increased verification effort. No fee for pension purposes (proof required).

Payment methods available

  • Girocard
  • Classic credit card

Payment information

no cash payment

Legal remedies



No legal remedy is provided for.

Legal basis

Section 33 (1) Administrative Procedure Act (VwVfG)

Links on hamburg.de

Links on the Internet

Address and contact information

City Resident Affairs

You can use this service at any Hamburg Service Residents' Affairs location, regardless of where you live in Hamburg.

Mon-Fri 7am-7pm, visits are only possible by appointment. You can book an appointment online (https://www.hamburg.de/go/17584) or by phone at 040 115.

If you would like to apply for an identity card, passport or children's passport, you can use an existing self-recording terminal (Speed Capture Terminal) to capture the necessary biometric data (digital photo, signature, fingerprints).


Please allow a few minutes more time before your appointment to collect your data.


Note: You will not receive a printout of the digital photo.


There is no need to bring a passport photo with you when using the self-registration terminal.


Use costs 6 euros.


Please speak to the clerk afterwards.


Danger!


The existing self-recording terminal (Speed Capture Terminal) cannot be used for fishing licenses and driver's license applications. Please bring a passport photo (biometric) with you for these services.

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Last updated: 08.02.2026