Police clearance certificate Germany

Do you need a “police clearance certificate” and are not sure what this is exactly? We explain what types of certificates of good conduct there are, when and for what purposes you need one and how you can apply for them.

The police clearance certificate, or certificate of good conduct, is an official document that provides information about a person’s criminal past. Specifically, a police clearance certificate lists past criminal convictions, if these exist. If the person has no previous convictions, i.e. no entries in the Federal Central Register (BZR), the document contains the information “No entries”.

A distinction is generally made between two types of police clearance certificate: simple and extended certificates.  

The simple police clearance certificate does not list any minor convictions, and employers or other authorities may require you to submit this as part of an application (e.g. for immigration).  

Since 2010, the authorities have also been able to issue an extended police clearance certificate, which specifically serves the protection of children and adolescents. This is only required if the person is going to be working with or in the immediate vicinity of children and young people. The extended police clearance certificate lists all criminal offences, including minor convictions. Moreover, the extended police clearance certificate lists convictions going back 10 years, whereas the simple certificate lists only those recorded in the Central Register within the last three years. Crimes relevant to child protection remain on the certificate for 20 years or even for life – depending on the severity of the offence.

Generally speaking, all employers can ask that you submit a police clearance certificate. However, this is especially common if you work with children and young people or in the public sector.  

A police clearance certificate may also be necessary in the following situations:

• Registration of a business
• Arms possession card
• Immigration and emigration
• Adoption and foster care
• Training and studies

A police clearance certificate costs about 13 euros.

You can apply for a police clearance certificate in person at the Citizens’ Office (Bürgerbüro), online or by post. Persons applying for a police clearance certificate must be at least 14 years old.

Usually, a police clearance certificate must not be more than three months old. However, there are no generally applicable requirements, so you should find out exactly how old your certificate is allowed to be in your particular case.