Proof of registration for German companies
Whenever possible, Swan retrieves required documents independently.
If it's not possible for Swan to retrieve a document, the list of documents on this page can be requested to open an account for your company registered in 🇩🇪 Germany.
Documents must have been issued within the last three months and be written in the Latin alphabet. They must be comprehensive, accurate, and legally compliant.
Companies​
Legal forms​
The following table describes the legal forms typically found for companies registered in Germany.
| Legal form (German) | Description |
|---|---|
| Offene Handelsgesellschaft (oHG) | General Partnership |
| Kommanditgesellschaft (KG) | Limited Partnership |
| Gesellschaft mit beschränkter Haftung (GmbH) | Limited Liability Company |
| Gesellschaft mit beschränkter Haftung & Compagnie Kommanditgesellschaft (GmbH & Co. KG) | Limited Partnership with a Limited Liability Company as General Partner |
| Gesellschaft mit beschränkter Haftung & Compagnie offene Handelsgesellschaft (GmbH & Co. oHG) | General Partnership with a Limited Liability Company as General Partner |
| Unternehmergesellschaft (haftungsbeschränkt) (UG) | Entrepreneurial Company (limited liability) |
| Aktiengesellschaft (AG) | Joint-stock Company |
| Societas Europaea (SE) | European Company |
| Europäische wirtschaftliche Interessenvereinigung (EWIV) | European Economic Interest Grouping |
| Societas Cooperativa Europaea (SCE) | European Cooperative Society |
| Genossenschaft | Cooperative Society |
| Gesellschaft bürgerlichen Rechts (GbR) | Registered Civil Law Partnership |
Accepted documents​
The following table lists the proof of registration documents accepted for companies registered in Germany.
*Swan retrieves documents marked with an asterisk independently. All other documents may be requested from your end users on a case-by-case basis.
| Document type (German) | Description |
|---|---|
| Nachweis der Firmenregistrierung* | Proof of Company Registration* |
| Gesellschaftsvertrag/Satzungen* | Articles of Association* |
| UBO-Zertifikat* | Ultimate Beneficial Owners (UBO) certificate* |
| Personalausweis der wirtschaftlich Berechtigten (UBOs) | Identity documents of UBOs |
| Vollmacht und Personalausweis | Power of Attorney and the legal representative's identity card |
| Formular für politisch exponierte Personen (PEP) | Politically Exposed Person (PEP) form |
| Finanzberichte | Financial statements |
| Eidesstattliche Erklärung | Sworn statement |
| Organigramm des Unternehmens | Company structure chart |
Self-employed individuals and freelancers​
Legal forms​
The following table describes the legal forms relevant to self-employed individuals and freelancers in Germany.
| Legal form (German) | Description | Mandatory documents |
|---|---|---|
| Freiberufler | Liberal professionals or freelancers | - Berufsanmeldung or Berufszulassung or Freiberufler-registrierung - Brief vom Finanzamt, Bescheinigung über die steuerliche Erfassung or Steuerbescheid |
| Selbständig/Gewerbetreibende | Self-employed in trade or business | Gewerbeschein |
| Partnerschaft | Partnership | Satzung der Gesellschaft or Partnerschaftsvertrag |
| Gesellschaft bürgerlichen Rechts (GbR) | Civil law partnership | - Satzung der Gesellschaft - Gewerbeschein (if available) |
Accepted documents​
The following table lists the accepted proof of registration documents for self-employed individuals and freelancers in Germany.
Swan requests proof of registration documents from self-employed individuals and freelancers.
| Document type (German) | Description |
|---|---|
| Gewerbeschein | Business or trade license |
| Berufsanmeldung or Berufszulassung | Professional registration or professional license |
| Freiberufler-registrierung | Freelancer registration |
| Satzung der Gesellschaft (Partnerschaft) | Articles of Association – Partnerships |
| Gesellschaftsvertrag | Articles of Association |
| Bescheinigung über die steuerliche Erfassung | Tax registration certificate |
| Brief vom Finanzamt | Letter from the tax office |
| Steuerbescheid | Tax Declaration (most recent) |