Führungszeugnis in Berlin: Certificate of Conduct Guide for Newcomers

A Führungszeugnis is Germany's official certificate of conduct. Employers, public authorities and organizations may ask for one when they need evidence about entries in the Federal Central Criminal Register.

For newcomers in Berlin, the confusing part is often not the fee. It is knowing which type of certificate the requesting organization needs, where it will be sent and whether you can apply online, in person or by post.

This guide explains the current Berlin process and the distinctions worth checking before you apply.

Important scope: This article provides general administrative information. SettlyGo can help you find the correct official page, organize visible requirements, prepare questions and support ordinary German communication. SettlyGo does not provide legal advice, interpret criminal-record entries, decide whether a certificate is legally required, or guarantee what an employer, authority or other organization will accept.

What is a Führungszeugnis?

Berlin's official Führungszeugnis service explains that the certificate is produced by the Bundesamt für Justiz (Federal Office of Justice) from the Bundeszentralregister.

There are several important distinctions.

A certificate can be intended:

for private purposes, for example when an employer asks you to provide one; or
for submission to a public authority, often called a behördliches Führungszeugnis or Führungszeugnis zur Vorlage bei einer Behörde.

There are also:

simple certificates;
extended certificates; and
European certificates for nationals of another EU member state.

Do not choose a type simply because its name sounds more comprehensive. Ask the organization requesting the document exactly which certificate it needs.

Private certificate versus certificate for an authority

The delivery route is different.

For a private-purpose Führungszeugnis, Berlin states that the certificate is normally sent by post to your address.

For a Führungszeugnis zur Vorlage bei einer Behörde, the certificate is sent directly to the named authority.

For an authority certificate, Berlin asks for details including:

the authority's name and address;
the reference or file number where applicable; and
the intended purpose.

Prepare those details before applying so the document is routed correctly.

What is an extended Führungszeugnis?

An erweitertes Führungszeugnis is not simply an optional upgrade to the standard certificate.

Berlin states that you need a written request from an authorized organization showing that an extended certificate is required.

This can be relevant, for example, for certain activities involving children or young people.

If an employer or organization asks you for an extended certificate, get its written request before going to the Bürgeramt or starting the application process.

What is a European Führungszeugnis?

If you are a national of another EU member state, Berlin says you receive a European Führungszeugnis.

This certificate also incorporates information requested from the criminal register of your EU country of nationality.

That additional cross-border step affects processing time. Berlin currently gives an average of about four weeks for a European certificate, compared with about two weeks for the normal process.

If you have a deadline from an employer or authority, allow for that difference rather than assuming every certificate has the same turnaround time.

Who can apply in Berlin?

Berlin currently lists these basic conditions:

you live in Berlin and are registered here; or, if you have no fixed residence, you ordinarily stay in Berlin; and
you are at least 14 years old.

For minors, a legal representative such as a parent can also apply according to Berlin's current instructions.

How can you apply?

Berlin currently describes three application channels:

online through the federal application service;
personally at a Berlin Bürgeramt; or
in writing by post if you cannot appear personally.

Important current online-service status

The Berlin ServicePortal still links to the federal online application system. However, when this guide was checked on 29 August 2026, the Bundesamt für Justiz displayed an active notice saying that the online application service for Führungszeugnisse and Gewerbezentralregister information was temporarily unavailable because of maintenance work.

Because this is a temporary technical status, check the federal site immediately before relying on the online route.

If the outage is still shown, use one of Berlin's currently available official alternatives rather than trying unofficial application websites.

Applying at a Berlin Bürgeramt

Berlin states that you can submit the application at any Berlin Bürgeramt.

A useful practical detail is that the Führungszeugnis application can currently be made without a prior appointment at Berlin Bürgerämter. Some locations may still offer optional appointments.

Bring a valid:

Personalausweis; or
passport.

If you need an extended certificate, also bring the written request from the authorized organization.

For a certificate intended for a public authority, have the authority's address, reference information and purpose ready.

Individual Bürgeramt opening hours and local access arrangements can change, so check your intended location before travelling there.

Applying online when the federal service is available

When the federal online application service is operational, Berlin lists an activated online identification function as a requirement.

That can include an eligible:

German electronic identity card;
eID-Karte for EU/EEA citizens; or
electronic residence permit (eAT),

with the online identification function activated and the required PIN.

Berlin also lists:

a compatible smartphone or card reader; and
the AusweisApp.

If you cannot use eID authentication, the Bürgeramt or written route may be more practical.

Can you apply by post?

Yes, Berlin currently allows a written application if you cannot appear personally.

The application must be signed, and Berlin notes that the legal checks include verification of the authenticity of the signature.

For the written route, Berlin currently asks for:

a formless signed application;
a copy of your Personalausweis or passport; and
proof that the fee was transferred in advance.

Berlin publishes the relevant district bank details for this purpose and asks applicants to use a payment reference identifying the Führungszeugnis and the applicant's name.

Because signature verification is part of the postal process, do not assume that a simple unsigned email or scanned message is equivalent to the official written application.

How much does a Führungszeugnis cost?

Berlin currently lists a fee of €13.

The official service also notes that the fee can be waived in certain cases under the applicable rules.

If you believe an exemption might apply, check the current official fee guidance before applying rather than simply omitting payment.

How long does it take?

Berlin currently gives these average delivery times:

about two weeks for a standard Führungszeugnis; and
about four weeks for a European Führungszeugnis.

These are average processing times, not guaranteed deadlines.

Allow extra time if your employer, university, authority or volunteer organization has given you a fixed submission date.

What documents should you prepare?

For a straightforward personal application, start with your valid identity document.

Depending on the certificate type, also prepare:

For a certificate for an authority

authority name and address;
reference/file number where relevant; and
purpose of the certificate.

For an extended certificate

the written request from the authorized organization that requires it.

For a written postal application

signed application;
copy of your identity document; and
proof of advance fee payment.

Do not send unrelated sensitive documents merely because you are unsure what is required. Start from the official checklist for your application type.

Does a foreign police certificate replace a German Führungszeugnis?

Do not assume so.

A German Führungszeugnis and a criminal-record certificate issued by another country are different documents produced under different systems.

If an employer, authority, university or other organization asks for background documentation, ask it which country or certificate type it specifically requires.

SettlyGo can help you prepare that question or communicate it in German, but it cannot decide the legal evidentiary value of a foreign record.

Does the certificate go to you or directly to the authority?

It depends on the type you request.

For private purposes, Berlin says the certificate is normally mailed to you.

For submission to an authority, it goes directly to the authority.

This is one reason to identify the correct certificate type before paying and applying.

Common mistakes newcomers can avoid

Applying for the wrong certificate type

Ask whether the requester needs a private, authority, extended or European certificate.

Going to the Bürgeramt without the extended-certificate request

If an authorized organization requires an extended certificate, take its written request with you.

Assuming you need a Bürgeramt appointment

Berlin currently says Führungszeugnis applications can be submitted at all Berlin Bürgerämter without prior appointment booking.

Still check the specific location's current opening hours before travelling.

Relying on the online route without checking its status

The federal portal can have temporary maintenance outages. Check the Bundesamt für Justiz site immediately before starting.

Giving the wrong authority details

For an authority certificate, confirm the recipient address, reference number and purpose before submitting the application.

Underestimating the European-certificate timeline

Berlin currently lists about four weeks on average for European certificates because information from another EU member state's register is involved.

Practical checklist

I know which type of Führungszeugnis the requesting organization needs.
I know whether the certificate should come to me or go directly to an authority.
My passport or identity document is valid.
If I need an extended certificate, I have the written request from the authorized organization.
If the certificate is for an authority, I have its address, reference information and purpose.
I checked whether the federal online application service is currently available.
If applying online, my eID function and PIN work and I have AusweisApp available.
If applying by post, I checked the current district payment instructions and signature requirements.
I allowed enough time before the requesting organization's deadline.

How SettlyGo can support you

A SettlyGo helper can provide practical administrative and communication support such as:

helping you locate the correct official Berlin and federal pages;
helping you turn the visible requirements into a checklist;
preparing questions for an employer, university, authority or organization about which certificate it requires;
supporting an ordinary German phone call or email;
helping you understand Bürgeramt instructions; and
accompanying you when in-person language or communication support is useful.

SettlyGo does not provide legal advice, interpret criminal-record entries, decide whether a particular certificate satisfies a legal requirement, submit declarations as your legal representative or guarantee how an authority or employer will evaluate the document.

Final takeaway

Before applying for a Führungszeugnis in Berlin, identify the exact certificate type and where it must be sent.

Berlin currently charges €13, allows applications at all Berlin Bürgerämter without a prior appointment, and lists average delivery of around two weeks for a standard certificate and four weeks for a European certificate. Online applications normally use the federal eID-based service, but technical availability can change; on 29 August 2026 the Bundesamt für Justiz was displaying a maintenance outage notice for that online service.

Use the official Berlin Führungszeugnis service and the Bundesamt für Justiz to confirm the latest application-channel status and requirements before applying.

For practical help organizing the process, preparing questions or handling German administrative communication, book SettlyGo support.