Apply for official certifications

Prerequisites

• When authenticating signatures:
  • They will appear in person.
  • The document you are signing must be submitted to an authority or other body due to a legal requirement.
  • You sign the document at the government office.
• For authentication for submission to an authority:
  • A copy can only be certified if the original document was issued by a German authority (for example: school certificates, identity document, certificates of doctorate, license to practice or citizenship) or if the copy is required for submission to a German authority (for example, employment references from a private employer).
• When authenticating documents and certificates from abroad:
  • The documents may need to be apostilled or legalized.
  • You may need a certified translation into German from a recognized translator.

For authentication purposes related to pensions:

You need this document to submit to the pension insurance provider.

Documents required

Depending on the type of authentication required, please bring the following documents with you:

• For signature authentications:
  • Valid identity card or passport,
  • Document on which your signature is to be certified.
• For document or certificate authentications:
  • Original documents and, if applicable, photocopies,
  • Copies that may need to be certified, if applicable.
  • If necessary, a certified translation (for foreign documents).
• For pension purposes:
  • Valid identity card or passport,
  • Documents for pension purposes where the conformity of the original with a copy needs to be confirmed.

Please note

• Civil status documents (birth, marriage, or death certificates) may not be certified. If needed, you can obtain a new copy from the relevant registry office.
• Certification is carried out on a document- or certificate-related basis and not on a personal basis, which is why even someone not directly affected can apply for it without a power of attorney.

Deadlines

There is no deadline.

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

The processing time depends on the number of certifications.

Fees

For the authentication of a signature: 5 EUR


Certification for submission to an authority: 4 EUR for up to four pages and 1 EUR for each additional page from the 5th page onwards.


If copies need to be made, 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 from the third page onwards due to the increased verification effort.


Certifications for pension purposes are free of charge (proof required).


The exact fee depends on the administrative effort and the number of certifications.

Legal remedies

No legal remedy is provided.

Legal basis

Section 33 of the Hamburg Administrative Procedure Act (HmbVwVfG)


https://www.landesrecht-hamburg.de/bsha/document/jlr-VwVfGHArahmen


Section 34 of the Hamburg Administrative Procedure Act (HmbVwVfG)