Look up a company by number

    HRB number search (Germany)

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

    Search Company Records in Germany

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

    How do I look up a company by its registration number in Germany?

    Use the exact HRB with its issuing jurisdiction or register on Handelsregister. Compare the returned legal name and identifier. A valid-looking number does not guarantee a result: coverage, formatting, access and source availability affect the lookup.

    Step-by-step

    1. 1

      Find the HRB on the paperwork

      The HRB normally appears on invoices, contracts, the website footer or official correspondence. It is the number counterparties are required to quote.

    2. 2

      Search the HRB

      Preserve leading zeros, letters, court and jurisdiction information. Follow the source's documented format rather than removing meaningful parts to force a match.

    3. 3

      Confirm the returned entity

      Check the legal name on the returned record matches the name on your paperwork. A mismatch between quoted number and quoted name is a serious warning sign.

    4. 4

      Verify at Handelsregister

      For anything contractual, confirm the number against the primary source at https://www.handelsregister.de.

      https://www.handelsregister.de
    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 is a HRB in Germany?

    It is the identifier Handelsregister assigns to a registered entity. It stays with the entity even if the trading name changes, which makes it the reliable way to track a company over time.

    Is a HRB lookup free?

    LemReveal's basic lookup is free where supported. Check Handelsregister's official access rules for the record or document required.

    What if the HRB returns no result?

    Check the format, issuing jurisdiction, coverage and source availability. Preserve meaningful prefixes and leading zeros. An unavailable source is not a confirmed absence; ask the counterparty to clarify the identifier.

    Should I use the HRB or the company name?

    The HRB. Names are duplicated across entities within a group; the number is unique to one entity.

    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 look up a company by its registration number 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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