Vehicles: Replacing the Certificate of Registration, Part II (Vehicle Title)
Service description
The person listed on the Registration Certificate Part II (vehicle title) is the owner of the vehicle in question. The owner is the person who uses the motor vehicle for their own account—that is, who bears the costs and has actual control over the vehicle. In many cases, this is not the same as the vehicle’s legal owner. The Registration Certificate, Part II, is therefore not proof of ownership; rather, it ultimately serves only to facilitate the registration process, as it is assumed that the person in possession of the Registration Certificate, Part II, has the right to dispose of the vehicle.
In Germany, the Certificate of Registration, Part II, consists of a single-sided document printed on special forgery-proof paper in the format 21 × 30.48 cm (trimmed to 21 × 29.7 cm).
For data protection reasons, the previous owners (holders) of a vehicle can no longer be identified by name, with the exception of the most recent previous owner (unlike in the old vehicle registration certificate). Only the date of initial registration and the number of previous owners are now recorded. Starting with the third owner of the vehicle, the issuance of a new Part II Registration Certificate is required in connection with the registration for every second new owner thereafter (i.e., the fifth, the seventh, etc.).
There is no general requirement to exchange the old vehicle registration certificate for the new Certificate of Registration, Part II. The exchange takes place automatically when,
- if 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
- if it becomes necessary to issue a new Certificate of Registration, Part I (vehicle registration certificate).
An old-style vehicle registration certificate or a Part II registration certificate that has been invalidated will be destroyed by the registration authority, provided that the owner does not wish to have it returned after it has been rendered unusable.
What documents are required?
Special information for the Fulda districtChecklist in Case of Loss, Theft, or Damage to the Certificate of Registration, Part II
- In the event of loss, the vehicle owner must appear in person at the registration office to submit a sworn statement. A third party cannot act on the owner’s behalf 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 Template (ZB I)
- 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")
- For registrations involving companies listed in the Commercial Register, the following additional documents are required:
o an extract from the Commercial Register
o a business registration in accordance with § 14 GWO
o a written power of attorney for the authorized representative (possible only in the event of theft)
o and the representative’s ID card - Administrative fee of at least 29.30 euros; additional fees may apply in certain cases (e.g., 30.70 euros for an affidavit)
What fees apply?
Special information for the Fulda districtAdministrative fee of at least 29.30 euros; additional fees may apply in certain cases (e.g., 30.70 euros for an affidavit)
Processing time
Special information for the Fulda districtA new Certificate of Registration Part II will be issued immediately to replace a Certificate of Registration Part II that has been filled out completely.
In the event of loss or theft of the Certificate of Registration Part II (vehicle registration certificate), the legally required public notice procedure will be followed. This process takes approximately 14 days. Only after this period has expired can the new Part II Registration Certificate (vehicle title) be issued. During the public notice period, the vehicle cannot be registered or re-registered.Legal basis