Germany's certificate of good conduct or police clearance ceritificate, known as the Führungszeugnis, will soon be available in digital form for the first time. The Bundestag passed a corresponding legislative amendment on Thursday, paving the way for the document to be issued as a digital PDF in addition to the traditional paper version. The change is expected to take effect later this year.
The Führungszeugnis serves as an official record of whether an individual has any prior criminal convictions. It is required for a wide range of professional and voluntary activities, particularly those involving children and young people, such as work in youth organisations or sports clubs.
While it has been possible to apply for the certificate online through a portal operated by the Federal Office of Justice since 2014, the document itself has until now only been printed on special green security paper and sent to applicants by post. That process is now set to change with the introduction of a digital alternative.
"The digital certificate of good conduct is coming and will make life easier for many people," said Federal Justice Minister Stefanie Hubig (SPD). She added that the project demonstrated: "When we think about public administration consistently in digital terms, everyone benefits. This is exactly what modern justice administration should look like."
According to the Federal Ministry of Justice, approximately five million certificate of good conduct are issued every year in Germany. After the national identity card and the birth certificate, it is the most frequently requested official document in the country. The certificate may be needed in a variety of situations, from applying for a new job to volunteering at a local sports club that works with children.
There are three different types of certificate of good conduct in Germany: the standard version, the extended version, and the European version. Each differs in the scope of criminal record entries it covers. All three variants are set to be made available in digital form under the new legislation.
The legislation must still pass through the Bundesrat, Germany's upper chamber of parliament representing the federal states. While the Bundesrat's formal approval is not required for this particular bill, the chamber retains the right to refer the matter to a mediation committee if it raises objections.
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