Search the business registry

    Germany business registry search

    Source-cited registry guidance — access and document fees vary by source.

    Search Company Records in Germany

    Free basic search · no sign-up required.

    Reviewed by LemReveal Research TeamContent reviewed June 2026Primary source: Handelsregister

    How do I search the business registry in Germany?

    Use Handelsregister as a starting source for Germany, then check its scope for the business form you need. Types can include GmbH (Gesellschaft mit beschränkter Haftung). A trading name may need a separate source or document; it does not automatically identify a legal entity. Official access requirements vary.

    Step-by-step

    1. 1

      Search the trading name you were given

      Start with the name on the invoice, website or contract. It is often a trading name rather than the registered legal name.

    2. 2

      Identify the legal entity behind it

      Handelsregister records the legal entity. Matching a trading name to its registered entity is the whole point of a registry search — the two are frequently different.

    3. 3

      Check the entity type

      Germany recognises GmbH (Gesellschaft mit beschränkter Haftung). Entity type determines liability and who is legally responsible, so it matters before you contract.

    4. 4

      Note what the registry does not cover

      Sole traders and unregistered activity may not appear at all. An absent record is not automatically proof of fraud — it can simply mean the business is not required to register.

    Open HandelsregisterAll Germany records

    Germany: choosing and checking the right record

    Choose the correct source
    Use the Handelsregister for the registered legal entity and its filings. Match the register category, register number and responsible court; a company-name search by itself can return branches and similarly named entities.
    Confirm the entity
    Keep the court alongside an HRB or HRA number. Read the German legal form and representation provisions on the record rather than translating every representative into a director or owner.

    Official register-information access guidance

    Check current access and document options on the official Handelsregister site. For search limitations and missing-result guidance, see the Germany registry guide.

    Frequently asked questions

    What does the Germany business registry cover?

    Handelsregister records GmbH (Gesellschaft mit beschränkter Haftung). Businesses that are not legally required to register — commonly small sole traders — may not appear.

    Can I search the Germany business registry by trading name?

    Some sources index trading names; others require the legal name or a separate business-name search. Ask for the contracting entity's legal name and identifier when the relationship is unclear.

    Is a business registry search free in Germany?

    LemReveal's basic lookup is free where supported. Official searches, records and documents have their own access conditions; check Handelsregister's current terms.

    What if a Germany business has no registry entry?

    It may not be required to register, or it may be trading under a different legal name. Ask for the registration number directly before assuming either.

    How do I search the German company register?

    The Handelsregister is searchable online at handelsregister.de. You can search by company name, registration number, or registered location. Basic searches are free, but accessing full documents may require a fee.

    People also ask about search the business registry in Germany

    The exact questions searchers type into Google — answered from the primary source.

    Is the Germany company register free to search?

    Yes. Basic company lookups on the Handelsregister are free — you can search by company name or registration number, view legal status, registered address and (usually) directors at no cost. Some jurisdictions charge a small fee only for downloading full filed documents.

    What is the official Germany business registry?

    The Handelsregister is the official public register of companies incorporated in Germany. It is operated by the government and is the primary source cited on this page — https://www.handelsregister.de.

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