Commercial register extract (Handelsregisterauszug)
Also: Handelsregisterauszug, HR-Auszug, Registerauszug, company register extract
In short
The commercial register extract shows a company's registered details, such as company name, registered office, capital, managing directors and authorised signatories. Anyone may retrieve it online for information purposes.
Commercial register extract (Handelsregisterauszug) explained
It can be retrieved via the federal states' register portal. Banks, notaries, authorities and contractual partners often require the extract as proof of who may represent the company, for example when opening an account or when registering the trade of a GmbH or UG. In addition to the current status, earlier entries and the documents submitted can be inspected, including the articles of association and the list of shareholders. Before a larger contract with a company, check whether the signatory is listed there as managing director or authorised signatory. The extract does not necessarily show who is economically behind the company; that is what the transparency register is for.
