Motor Vehicles: Certificate of Registration, Part I (Vehicle Registration Certificate)
Service description
The Certificate of Registration, Part I, has replaced the vehicle registration certificate. The person listed on the Certificate of Registration, Part I, is the owner of the vehicle in question. The definition of “holder” is derived from Section 833 of the German Civil Code (BGB). According to this provision, the holder is the person who uses the motor vehicle for their own account (namely, who bears the costs and has actual control over the vehicle); in many cases, this is not the owner of the vehicle. The Certificate of Registration Part II is therefore not proof of ownership either, but ultimately only facilitates the registration process, as it is assumed that the person holding the Certificate of Registration Part II has the right to dispose of the vehicle.
There is no general requirement to exchange the old vehicle registration certificate for the new Certificate of Registration, Part II. The document is automatically replaced when a new Vehicle Registration Certificate must be issued anyway (e.g., because the old one has been lost, regardless of whether the old Vehicle Registration Certificate is still available) or when the issuance of a new Registration Certificate Part I becomes necessary.
Invalidated Registration Certificates Part I (vehicle registration certificates) are returned to the owner after the vehicle is taken out of service.What documents are required?
Special information for the Fulda districtChecklist for Loss or Theft of the Vehicle Registration Certificate, Part I
- In the event of loss, an affidavit must be submitted. The vehicle owner must appear in person at the registration office; representation by a third party is not permitted in this case.
- In the event of theft, a report can be filed with the police. The original copy of the theft report must be submitted to the vehicle registration office.
- Vehicle Registration Certificate/Certificate of Registration II (required only for vehicle documents issued before October 1, 2005)
- Current, still valid proof of vehicle inspection
- valid ID card (or valid passport with proof of residence)
- Foreign residents must present a passport with a valid residence permit and proof of registration (for EU citizens, the "EU ID card")
- Administrative fee of at least 11.70 euros; additional fees may apply in certain cases (e.g., 30.70 euros for an affidavit)
Provided that all required documents have been submitted in full, the vehicle registration certificate can be issued on the spot.
What fees apply?
Special information for the Fulda districtAdministrative fee of at least 11.70 euros; additional fees may apply in certain cases (e.g., 30.70 euros for an affidavit)
Legal basis
What else should I know?
Occasionally, problems arise when transferring entries from the “Remarks” field of the previous vehicle registration certificate to the new ZB I. In general, the new Field 22 on the Certificate of Registration, Part I, is used to carry over these entries. If there is not enough space there, a supplementary sheet will be issued and, in some cases, attached. Check that all information has been transferred correctly when the new documents are issued, and report any discrepancies as soon as possible.
If you authorize a third party to deregister the vehicle, that person will need a written power of attorney from you; in addition, they must present your identification document (the original) to the registration office. They must also have their own valid identification document with them to verify their identity.Applications / Forms