Beglaubigung inländischer öffentlicher Urkunden zur Verwendung im Ausland beantragen

Legalization involves a considerable amount of time and money. It has therefore been declared partially dispensable by international treaties. These conventions include the Convention Abolishing the Requirement of Legalization for Foreign Public Documents (Hague Apostille Convention). Legalization is then replaced by the apostille as proof of authenticity. This is issued by the competent internal authority of the state that issued the document. It is then no longer necessary for the foreign representation in Germany to be involved.

In addition, there are also conventions with the consequence of mutual recognition of the respective documentary system, so that public documents are regarded as authentic without further ado (Belgium, Denmark, France, Greece, Italy; Luxembourg, Austria and Switzerland).

You can find out which countries recognize the "Hague Apostille" here:

• Original certificate
• Passport or other proof of identity (not required for written applications)
• If applicable: written power of attorney for the representative

EUR: 10,00 to 100,00

If possible, find out about the exact procedure and how the fees are to be paid before submitting your application.

• Visit the competent authority. Make an appointment by telephone.
• Identify yourself with your identity card or passport.
• State the country in which you wish to use the certificate.
• Present the original document.
• Pay the fee at the relevant office.

Legalization involves a considerable amount of time and money. It has therefore been declared partially dispensable by international treaties. These treaties include the Convention Abolishing the Requirement of Legalization for Foreign Public Documents (Hague Apostille Convention). Legalization is then replaced by the apostille as proof of authenticity. This is issued by the competent domestic authority of the state that issued the document. It is then no longer necessary for the foreign representation in Germany to be involved.

In addition, there are also conventions with the consequence of mutual recognition of the respective documentary system, so that public documents are regarded as authentic without further ado (Belgium, Denmark, France, Greece, Italy; Luxembourg, Austria and Switzerland).

You can find out which countries recognize the "Hague Apostille" here:

For signatures on German public documents for use abroad and apostilles on federal documents for use in countries acceding to the Hague Convention:

Postal address:

Federal Office of Administration / Legalizations
Division II B 4
50728 Cologne

Visitor address:

Federal Office of Administration
Cologne-Braunsfeld office building (New Technology Center)
Eupener Str. 125
50933 Cologne
Cologne, Germany

Phone: +49 228 99358-4100
Fax: +49 228 99358-2893
E-Mail : beglaubigungen@bva.bund.de

Opening hours (visit and telephone):

Mon: 09:00 - 13:00
Tue: 09:00 - 16:30
Wed: 09:00 - 13:00
Thu: 09:00 - 13:00
Fri: 08:00 - 13:00

For documents of the Federal Patent Court and the German Patent Office:

German Patent and Trademark Office

Munich Office

Postal address:

German Patent and Trade Mark Office
80297 Munich

Visitor address:

German Patent and Trade Mark Office
Zweibrückenstraße 12
80331 Munich

Phone: +49 89 2195-0
Fax: +49 89 2195-2221
E-mail: info@dpma.de

Berlin office

Postal address:

German Patent and Trade Mark Office
Technical Information Center Berlin
10958 Berlin

Visitor address:

German Patent and Trade Mark Office
Technical Information Center Berlin
Gitschiner Street 97
10969 Berlin

Phone: +49 30 25992-0
Fax: +49 30 25992-404
E-mail: info@dpma.de

Jena office

Postal address:

German Patent and Trade Mark Office
Jena Sub-Office
07738 Jena

Visitor address:

German Patent and Trade Mark Office
Jena Sub-Office
Goethestrasse 1
07743 Jena

Phone: +49 364140-54
Fax: +49 364140-5690
E-mail: info@dpma.de

For signatures on German public documents for use abroad and apostilles on federal documents for use in countries acceding to the Hague Convention:

Postal address:

Federal Office of Administration / Legalizations
Division II B 4
50728 Cologne

Visitor address:

Federal Office of Administration
Cologne-Braunsfeld office building (New Technology Center)
Eupener Str. 125
50933 Cologne
Cologne, Germany

Phone: +49 228 99358-4100
Fax: +49 228 99358-2893
E-Mail : beglaubigungen@bva.bund.de

Opening hours (visit and telephone):

Mon: 09:00 - 13:00
Tue: 09:00 - 16:30
Wed: 09:00 - 13:00
Thu: 09:00 - 13:00
Fri: 08:00 - 13:00

For documents of the Federal Patent Court and the German Patent Office:

German Patent and Trademark Office

Munich Office

Postal address:

German Patent and Trade Mark Office
80297 Munich

Visitor address:

German Patent and Trade Mark Office
Zweibrückenstraße 12
80331 Munich

Phone: +49 89 2195-0
Fax: +49 89 2195-2221
E-mail: info@dpma.de

Berlin office

Postal address:

German Patent and Trade Mark Office
Technical Information Center Berlin
10958 Berlin

Visitor address:

German Patent and Trade Mark Office
Technical Information Center Berlin
Gitschiner Street 97
10969 Berlin

Phone: +49 30 25992-0
Fax: +49 30 25992-404
E-mail: info@dpma.de

Jena office

Postal address:

German Patent and Trade Mark Office
Jena Sub-Office
07738 Jena

Visitor address:

German Patent and Trade Mark Office
Jena Sub-Office
Goethestrasse 1
07743 Jena

Phone: +49 364140-54
Fax: +49 364140-5690
E-mail: info@dpma.de