Vehicles: Replace the Certificate of Registration

You must apply for a new Certificate of Registration, Part I or II, in writing or in person at your local registration authority.

• Please check with your local licensing authority to find out,
  • whether a form is available for download,
  • what documents you need for the process,
  • whether you can submit the application in person, by email, or by mail,
  • whether you should come to the office in person to submit your application—with or without an appointment—and whether you must pick up your new documents in person or will receive them by mail at your home address.
• As a rule, you must appear in person to submit your application. To do so, take the completed form and the required documents to your local registration office.
• If you lose Part II of your vehicle registration certificate:
  • The loss is reported to the Federal Motor Transport Authority by the registration authority and published in the Traffic Gazette.
  • Only after the loss has been published in the official gazette, along with a deadline for submitting Part II of the registration certificate, can you pick up the new registration documents or receive them by mail.
• The licensing authority can provide you with information about the estimated processing time.

Loss of the Vehicle Registration Document

• valid ID card or passport
• For commercial vehicles: additional supporting documentation
• In case of loss: Declaration of loss or affidavit
• In the event of theft: Police confirmation of the theft report
• Any available Certificate of Registration, Part I or Part II (formerly: vehicle registration certificate or vehicle title)
• If you are replacing the Certificate of Registration, Part I, you will also need the following for registered vehicles:
  • Inspection Report on a Valid General Inspection in Accordance with the German Road Traffic Licensing Regulations (StVZO)
• In addition, for substitute teachers:
  • written power of attorney
  • Valid ID card or passport of the authorized person
• Additionally, for minors:
  • Consent Form and Identification Documents of the Legal Guardians

Please check with your local licensing authority to see if any additional documents are required or if any of the listed documents are not needed.

Notes: The registration authority may require a sworn statement regarding the whereabouts of the registration document. Many registration authorities offer a form for the affidavit that can be downloaded. If Part II of the registration certificate is held by a financial institution, contact the registration authority to inquire about the procedure.

• Sections 3 and 6 of the Regulation on the Registration of Vehicles for Road Traffic (Vehicle Registration Regulation—FZV)
• § 5 of the Road Traffic Act (StVG) (Loss of Documents and License Plates)

• Consent Form for Minors (PDF Application)
• SEPA Direct Debit Mandate Authorization (PDF document)
• Power of Attorney for Registration (PDF document)