Handelsregister numbers: HRB/HRA references explained
How Handelsregister references are typically written and how to avoid ambiguity.
What a register number is
A Handelsregister number is the identifier of an entry within a register court’s register section. It is usually written with the section prefix (HRB or HRA) followed by a number. The number is not globally unique by itself; it must be interpreted with the responsible register court.
Common formats
A standard way to cite an entry is to name the court and then the section and number, for example: “Amtsgericht [City], HRB 12345”. In documents, you may also see the prefix and number adjacent to the company name. The company’s name alone is not a substitute for the register reference because names can change and similar names can exist.
Avoiding ambiguity
When you capture register information, always capture the court, the section, and the number. If you need to match two documents, compare the full set: name, legal form, seat, and reference. A mismatch in court or section is a strong sign you are looking at a different entry.
Related identifiers
A Handelsregister number is different from tax identifiers (Steuernummer, Steuer‑ID, USt‑IdNr) and from international identifiers like LEI. Those identifiers have separate issuing rules and are not a substitute for the register reference.
Examples (illustrative)
| Example reference | What it implies |
|---|---|
| Amtsgericht München HRB 12345 | Company entry in HRB section at the Munich register court |
| Amtsgericht Hamburg HRA 67890 | Merchant/partnership entry in HRA section at the Hamburg register court |
Related pages
- German tax numbers — How tax identifiers differ from register identifiers.
- VAT ID (USt-IdNr) guide — VAT ID context vs register data.