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    How to check if a company is registered in 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 check if a company is registered in Germany?

    To check if a company is registered in Germany, search its exact registration number or legal name on Handelsregister (https://www.handelsregister.de). Compare the identifier and available identity fields before reading the recorded status. A name-only match is a candidate, not confirmation. Official access requirements and document fees vary.

    Step-by-step

    1. 1

      Open the official Handelsregister

      Go to https://www.handelsregister.de. This is the primary government-operated source.

      https://www.handelsregister.de
    2. 2

      Search by name or number

      Use the legal name or identifier supported by Handelsregister. Trading-name and partial-name searches are not universal.

    3. 3

      Check status and legal name

      Compare the exact identifier and legal name. Preserve the source's status wording: historical and dissolved entities can still have registry records.

    4. 4

      Cross-check the registered address

      Compare the available registered address with the counterparty's documents. A registered office can differ legitimately from a trading address; clarify the difference rather than treating it as evidence of misconduct.

    5. 5

      Download the official extract (optional)

      Most registers let you download a formal extract or certificate. Use this for KYC, procurement, or contract files.

    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

    How do I check if a company is registered in Germany?

    Search the exact registration number on Handelsregister at https://www.handelsregister.de, then compare the legal name and available identity details. Read the status and its date in the source's own terminology. Name similarity alone does not confirm the entity.

    How can I check if a Germany company is still active?

    Read the status on the exact entity's Handelsregister record, preserving its wording and retrieval date. Liquidation is not the same as dissolution: an entity can remain registered while undergoing liquidation. A registry status is not a solvency or trustworthiness assessment.

    Is a Germany company with a website automatically registered?

    No. A website, email domain or invoice letterhead proves nothing. The only authoritative proof is a current entry in Handelsregister with a matching legal name and registration number.

    What proves a Germany company is legally registered?

    An entry in Handelsregister with an "active" or equivalent status is the definitive proof. The registration number returned by Handelsregister is the authoritative identifier.

    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 check if a company is registered 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.

    How can I check if a Germany company is legitimate?

    Look the company up on the Handelsregister. If the entity returns an "active" (or equivalent local status) result, matches the registered address on its invoices, and its listed directors match who is signing your contract, it is a real registered entity. Anything reported as "dissolved", "struck off" or "in liquidation" should be treated with caution.

    What information can I get about a Germany company for free?

    Free public data from the Handelsregister typically includes: legal name, registration number, incorporation date, registered address, current status, business type, and current directors / officers. Historical filings and certified copies may carry a small fee.

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