📄 Certificate of good conduct: what employers may see
In brief
There are three types of certificate of good conduct (Führungszeugnis): the simple one (for most private employers, § 30 BZRG), the extended one (among other things for work with children and young people, § 30a BZRG) and the certificate for authorities (for certain official purposes, § 31 BZRG, with the most comprehensive content). Minor convictions – for example a fine of up to 90 daily rates or a prison sentence of up to three months on probation – generally do not appear in the simple certificate of good conduct, if no further sentence is entered in the register. For certain sexual offences, this minor-offence threshold expressly does not apply: they appear in the certificate of good conduct regardless of the sentence.
Step by step
- Clarify the type of certificateCheck whether a simple certificate of good conduct really is enough – an extended certificate or one for authorities may be demanded only if provided for by law.
- Obtain your own information firstApply to the Bundesamt für Justiz (Federal Office of Justice) for your own information from the Federal Central Criminal Register (§ 41 BZRG), so that you know what is currently entered.
- Apply for the certificate of good conductYou apply online (using the online ID function) or in person at the registration office (Einwohnermeldeamt).
- Apply for correction if there are errorsIf entries are incorrect, file an application for correction with the Bundesamt für Justiz.
- Note the submission deadlineMany employers require a certificate of good conduct that is no more than three months old – this is not a statutory requirement but a common practice set by the respective body.
Deadlines
- The minor-offence clause applies only if nothing else is entered in the register – with several convictions, even the "small" sentence appears in the certificate of good conduct.
- For convictions for certain sexual offences (§§ 174 to 180, 182 StGB), the minor-offence clause expressly does not apply – they appear regardless of the sentence.
- An extended certificate of good conduct shows more than the simple one for relevant offences – the minor-offence thresholds apply there only to a limited extent.
- Outside cases required by law, employers may in principle not demand a certificate for authorities, which shows the most comprehensive content.
In depth · legal basis, figures and practice – for advisers and professionals
Types of certificate of good conduct
The simple certificate of good conduct (§ 30 BZRG) is the standard information for most private purposes. The extended certificate of good conduct (§ 30a BZRG) is required, among other things, for work involving contact with children or young people, and also shows certain relevant convictions below the minor-offence thresholds that otherwise apply. The certificate for authorities (§ 31 BZRG) is intended only for certain official proceedings and has the most comprehensive content.
Minor-offence clause (§ 32 para. 2 BZRG)
The simple certificate of good conduct does not include, among other things: convictions to a fine of no more than 90 daily rates or to a prison or youth sentence of no more than three months, if this was suspended on probation, as well as certain decisions under youth law – in each case provided that no further sentence is entered in the register. For convictions under §§ 174 to 180 and 182 StGB, this minor-offence clause expressly does not apply.
Relationship to deletion
The inclusion limits of § 32 BZRG are to be considered independently of the deletion periods of § 46 BZRG: a conviction can drop out of the certificate of good conduct even before the deletion period expires (minor-offence clause); conversely, a more serious conviction can appear in the certificate of good conduct until the full deletion period has expired.
Application and correction
Certificates of good conduct are applied for through the registration office, from the Bundesamt für Justiz. The Bundesamt für Justiz is also responsible for corrections of incorrect entries; in addition, every person has an own right to information under § 41 BZRG.
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