You can retrieve electronically available register extracts yourself free of charge through the joint German register portal. A private document retrieval service is a separate service that may charge a fee. Compare the actual work and document format included in an offer.
What free access covers
Direct online retrieval can suit you if you can identify the company and document yourself. Availability depends on the electronic register holdings. Older records and documents held only on paper may not be available as downloadable files.
What a private service charges for
A retrieval provider may charge for researching, identifying and supplying the requested documents. Its service charge is not a mandatory fee for access to the German commercial register. e-handelsregisterauszug.de provides a private ordering service; you can use official self-service access independently.
Separate document format from additional work
An ordinary PDF retrieval, an official document and a package for overseas use can meet different requirements. Ask the recipient which format it accepts before ordering. Certification, an apostille, translation and shipping may involve separate costs and processing times.
Compare like-for-like offers
Write down the same requested service for each offer. A low starting price is less useful if an essential document is missing. Review the selected documents and displayed total before submitting an order.
- Same legal entity, document type and scope?
- Ordinary PDF or an expressly required official format?
- Additional documents, translation or shipping included?
- What processing and delivery method are agreed?
Choose according to your task
Direct retrieval may be sufficient for your own research. If identification is difficult or several records must be assembled, compare a provider’s scope with your needs. Paying for a service does not automatically accelerate an authority’s processing or guarantee acceptance by the recipient.