The certificate of good conduct is a document that certifies whether or not you have a criminal record. If you need to prove whether or not you have a criminal record, you can apply for a certificate of good conduct.
There are the following types of certificates of good conduct:
- simple certificate of good conduct
- extended certificate of good conduct
- Certificate of good conduct for submission to an authority
- European certificate of good conduct
If you need the certificate of good conduct for personal purposes, it is a simple certificate of good conduct. This is used, for example, for submission to your employer.
You need an extended certificate of good conduct if you
- work in the area of children and young people, for example in a school or sports club, or
- want to work with people in need of care or people with disabilities.
The certificate of good conduct for official purposes is used exclusively for submission to an authority, for example if you need a driver's license. The certificate of good conduct is then sent directly to the authority that requested it from you. In addition to criminal court decisions, it also contains certain decisions by administrative authorities, for example the revocation of a professional license. If you suspect that the certificate of good conduct contains entries, you can request that it is first sent to a local court named by you so that you can inspect it there.
If you are a citizen of one or more other EU member states or Great Britain in addition to Germany, you will receive the requested document as a European Certificate of Good Conduct. In addition to the German certificate of good conduct, it contains information on entries in the criminal record of the Member State of origin in the language transmitted, if the Member State of origin provides for transmission in accordance with its law.