What a Registergericht does

Handelsregister entries are maintained by register courts (Registergerichte). A register court is responsible for keeping the record, receiving filings (often via notaries), and publishing the entry updates. When a register number is cited, it is normally understood in combination with the responsible court.

Why the court matters

The same register number can exist in different court districts. For reliable identification, references often include the court name/location and the section (HRB/HRA). Official extracts are issued from the register maintained under that court’s responsibility.

Typical references

In practice, you may see references such as “Amtsgericht [City] HRB 12345”. The term Amtsgericht is often used because many register courts are local courts. The precise phrasing may vary, but the combination of city/court plus HRB/HRA plus number is the key.

Cross‑border documentation

When register information is used across borders, parties commonly request a current register extract and, if needed, certified copies or apostille/legalization depending on the destination country’s requirements.

What to record when you cite an entry

• Register court / city (e.g., Amtsgericht [City])
• Section (HRB or HRA)
• Register number
• Registered name and legal form
• Date of the latest entry update (from the extract/publication)

Related pages

• Register extract — What an official extract is and how to interpret it.
• Certified copies & apostille — When extra certification is needed for foreign use.