Procedure descriptions
Requesting information from the Trade Register (Gewerberegister)
Public and private institutions and private individuals can request information from the Trade Register.
Entrepreneurs are obliged to notify the municipal authority of certain transactions, including the registration, transfer of registration and deregistration of
- a business,
- a branch, or
- a branch office.
The Trade Register is the record of these transactions held by the municipal authority.
Note: The information provided gives details of the company’s registration and any transfer of registration. The competent authority does not check whether it is correct or complete.
This does not apply to information about deregistered businesses.
Responsible department
The municipal council (Gemeindeverwaltung) or city council (Stadtverwaltung) responsible for the company’s business headquarters
Details
Prerequisite
You can obtain information relating to the entrepreneur’s basic data without giving any special reason. This includes the
- name
- business address and
- business activity registered.
If you wish to obtain additional data, you will have to prove that you have a legal interest.
You are deemed to have a legal interest if, for example, you
- wish to assert legal claims, or
- need information concerning the services the entrepreneur has rendered, or
- are granting loans to the entrepreneur.
N.B. The Trade Register is not a public register like the Commercial Register, Public Register of Cooperatives or Register of Associations. You therefore have no legal right to obtain the data. The competent authority will decide whether or not to give you the information at its own discretion.
Procedure
You can send a informal application to the competent authority if you wish to obtain information from the Trade Register. Along with your own personal information, you must mention the data relating to the company that you already know, e.g.
- company name
- business owner’s name
- the last address known to you
Tip: Depending on the authority, the Trade Register and application forms may also be available in the internet.
Required documents
In the case of information that goes beyond the basic data: evidence of your legal interest, e.g.
- debt instruments,
- copies of contracts or
- invoices
Costs
Fees are calculated according to the municipal fee scale. Please request further information from the competent authority.
Legal basis
Release note
The German original version of this text was drafted in close cooperation with the relevant departments. The Wirtschaftsministerium released it on 06.08.2019. Only the German text is legally binding. The Federal State does not assume any liability for the translated texts.
In cases of doubt or if you have any questions or problems, please contact the relevant authorities directly.
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