Procedure descriptions
Foreign certificates - applying for recognition
Recognition is necessary if, for example, you
- attend certain secondary schools or
- wish to apply for certain apprenticeships or professions .
- wish to pursue a profession in child day care.
For recognition, the foreign educational certificate is assigned to a comparable qualification in Baden-Württemberg.
Examples of certificates or qualifications that are assigned or recognised:
- Realschulabschluss (secondary school leaving certificate) or aequivalent level of education
- Secondary school leaving certificate or an equivalent level of education and training
- Vocational qualification from a regulated school-based training programme in the field of day care for children
- Higher education entrance qualification for vocational purposes
- University entrance qualificationqualification for admission to higher education for German applicants with foreign educational qualifications
Responsible department
the Certificate Recognition Authority of the Stuttgart Regional Council ( Regierungspräsidium Stuttgart)
Details
Prerequisite
- You have your main place of residence in Baden-Württemberg or
- You have applied in Baden-Württemberg for
- a training or further education or
- employment or
- a course of study with foreign educational qualifications as a German citizen or a German national
Procedure
You mustapply for recognition in writing or in person. Use the form provided. Note the special instructions. Also state the purpose for which you need the assessment.
Send the completed application form with all required documents by post to the competent office. You can also send the application in advance by e-mail.
You will be informed in writing about the results of the certificate assessment and about a possible recognition of equivalence
The Zeugnisanerkennungsstelle will issue you with a certificate of recognition if the qualification acquired is recognised. You will also receive information on the transfer of fees with the certificate. Do not send cash.
Deadlines
early, note possible application deadlines
Required documents
Recognition of school education certificates:
- Copy of passport or identity card
- if the name in the certificate entry and the name in the identity document do not match: Proof of change of name, in the original language and, if applicable, in an official translation
- for nationals of a non-EU member state: residence permit (with additional sheet)
- foreign school-leaving certificates with overviews of subjects and grades
- Certificates of study (if available)
- if the name in the certificate entry and the name in the identity document do not match: Proof of change of name, original language and official translation
- if you are applying for a fee exemption due to low income, you will also need:
- Proof of family income, e.g. copy of wage/salary statement, Job Centre notification of unemployment benefit.
- Proof of the number of family members, e.g. copy of an extended registration certificate, marriage certificate or birth certificates of children
Recognition of vocational training certificates:
- Copy of passport or identity card
- if the name in the certificate entry and the name in the identity document do not match: Proof of change of name, in the original language and, if applicable, in an official translation
- curriculum vitae in table form
- Proof of professional qualification with overview of subjects and grades
- Proof of professional activity (e.g. work book, references)
Important:
You must submit your educational certificates and their official translations as officially certified copies. Copies are officially certified if an original stamp on them certifies that the copy corresponds to the original. You must submit other original language documents in their original language and in an official translation as a normal copy, not as an officially certified copy.
Documents in English or French do not usually need to be translated.
Note: Official translations may only be carried out by sworn translators.
Costs
Certificate of an acquired qualification: EUR 100.00
If you have a low income, you can informally apply for a fee waiver. Please enclose the following evidence with your application:
- Proof of family income, e.g. copy of wage/salary statement, Job Centre notification of unemployment benefit.
- Proof of the number of family members, e.g. copy of an extended registration confirmation, marriage certificate or the birth certificates of the children
Processing time
Depending on the number of applications received, the processing time can be several weeks or months.
If your case is urgent and you can prove this, e.g. by a provisional training/employment commitment or reference to a study application deadline, the competent office may aim for faster processing.
Miscellaneous
none
Detailed information
- Certificate Recognition Office of the Stuttgart Regional Council
- Details on the recognition of vocational qualifications and vocational qualifications from abroad can be found in the service description"AusländischeBerufsabschlüssefür HWK-Berufe - anerkennen lassen" or"Ausländische Berufsabschlüsse für IHK-Berufe - anerkennen lassen".
- Foreign applicants with a higher education entrance qualification can find information in the service description"Foreign higher education entrance qualification - apply for recognition".
- Further information for sworn translators can be found on the website of the court interpreters.
Legal basis
- § 58 Landeshochschulgesetz (LHG) (Hochschulzugang)
- § 10 Gesetz über die Angelegenheiten der Vertriebenen und Flüchtlinge (Bundesvertriebenengesetz - BVFG) (Prüfungen und Befähigungsnachweise)
- Landesanerkennungsgesetz
- EU-Richtlinien und zwischenstaatliche Vereinbarungen zur Anerkennung beruflicher Befähigungsnachweise
Release note
07.07.2023 Regierungspräsidium Stuttgart
Contact
Bürger- und Standesamt (Bürgeramt)
eMail buergeramt@heidenheim.de
Telefon (0 73 21) 3 27-33 42
Fax (0 73 21) 3 23-33 32