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    Germany registry entity search

    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 find the right registered entity in Germany?

    A registry entity search in Germany identifies which specific legal entity you are dealing with when a name is shared across several. Handelsregister distinguishes them by registration number, entity type (GmbH (Gesellschaft mit beschränkter Haftung), AG (Aktiengesellschaft), UG (Unternehmergesellschaft)) and registered address.

    Step-by-step

    1. 1

      Search the name and expect several hits

      Groups commonly register holding, trading and dormant entities under near-identical names. The first result is not necessarily the one you are dealing with.

    2. 2

      Disambiguate by registration number

      The registration number is unique. If a counterparty cannot give you theirs, that is itself informative.

    3. 3

      Compare entity type and address

      Where the number is unavailable, entity type (GmbH (Gesellschaft mit beschränkter Haftung), AG (Aktiengesellschaft), UG (Unternehmergesellschaft)) and registered address usually separate the candidates.

    4. 4

      Record which entity you chose

      Contracts are with an entity, not a brand. Note the registration number you verified so later checks look at the same record.

    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

    Why do several Germany entities share the same name?

    Groups register separate legal entities — holding, operating, dormant — under closely related names. Handelsregister treats each as a distinct entity with its own registration number.

    How do I tell which entity I am contracting with?

    By registration number. Ask the counterparty for it, then confirm that exact number on Handelsregister. Name alone is not sufficient.

    Is entity search on Handelsregister free?

    Check official search, account and fee rules. LemReveal's basic lookup is separate from official document and subscription charges.

    Does the biggest entity in the results matter most?

    No. What matters is the entity named on your contract or invoice. A dormant shell and a trading company in the same group look similar in a name search and carry very different risk.

    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 find the right registered entity 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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