Before I discuss how to obtain a certified copy of a German document, please permit a minute rant: Studying engineering in German is kicking my butt. I am used to doing other things on the side when I am learning something, but I need to dedicate my full attention to this work. I like the problems, but the text is bogging me down. The stress is: we are having company over this weekend, going to a bday party Sat., Easter vacation starts next Thursday, Alex’s birthday is Friday, and a visit to his grandmother’s during easter the weekend…I’m dancing on a wire; works due in 2 Mondays. But where’s my motivation?
It snowed last night but didn’t hurt the cute little green buds or stems on the trees. I had to put on my red turtle neck again, grrrr.>:( I am ready for warm semi.permanent weather.
So if you want to know how to get an Amtliche Beglaubigung or certified copy of a German document, read on…
Actually, it was a lot easier than I expected, you just have to know where to look. Here is an explanation how I got my TestDaF results notarized in less than 10 minutes.
Every agency can notarize certified copies from original papers. Also, the registry office (die Meldebehörde) is responsible for the providing certified copies of documents or transcripts that are issued by a German agency. One must go to a Notar or Notary for certification of private documents. It cost 5,–€ to get certified copies of documents up to 6 sides.
There are 7 possible places in Munich one can get official certification of a German document:
- Kreisverwaltungsreferat (KVR)
Ruppertstraße 19
Subway Stop: Poccistraße - Bürgerbüro Pasing
Landsberger Straße 486
Subway Stop: Pasing - 5 different Meldestellen (registration office) within the city
(see list below)
My advice, avoid the Bürgerbüro and the Kreisverwaltungsreferat, KVR. Their opening hours are funky and they seem to be overcrowded because they separate people by the first letter of the last name.
I went to Meldstelle 16 because I live closest to Giesing and their hours were flexible on Thursday (open in the morning and afternoon). Beware that every office has different opening hours: Here’s a pdf of the hours/location of each office.
So pick a number and wait a bit. There was no one waiting at Meldstelle 16 at 9:30 a.m. The clerk will ask you what the copies are for, then he’ll make a copies and provide an official stamp. Pay another the desk behind a window 5 Euros and then you’re out the door. Good Luck!
List of the 5 registration offices:
- Meldestelle 5/17
Orleansplatz 13
Subway Stop: Ostbahnhof - Meldestelle 9
Leonrodstraße 21
Subway Stop: Rotkreuzplatz - Meldestelle 11
Riesenfeldstraße
Subway Stop: Anhalter Platz - Meldestelle 16
Frankenthaler Straße 5-9
Subway Stop:Giesing Bahnhof - Meldestelle 19
Forstenrieder Allee 61a
Subway Stop:Forstenrieder Allee
