Certification
Certifications in Dortmund
Rechtsanwalt und Notar (lawyer and civil-law notary) André Döttelbeck – Am Kai 8 – 44263 Dortmund
Signatures & copies
Certifications – recognised throughout Germany
Many declarations require a notarially certified signature, for example applications to the commercial register, land register applications or certain powers of attorney. When certifying a signature, the notary confirms that the signature is yours.
When certifying a copy, the notary confirms that it matches the original presented – for example for certificates, deeds or contracts.
At a glance
- Certification of signatures
- Certified copies
- Commercial register and land register applications
- Powers of attorney and declarations of consent
- Advice on the apostille for use abroad
- Correspondence in German, English and French
Process
How a certification works
01
Appointment
Give us a quick call – certifications can often be arranged at short notice.
02
ID & original
Bring your ID and the original or the document to be signed.
03
Certification
You sign in front of the notary, or the notary compares copy and original and adds the certification note.
Documents
What to bring
- Valid identity card or passport
- The original document (for copies)
- The document to be signed – please do not sign it yet, this is done in front of the notary
- For register applications: draft or details of the matter
Something missing? Call us beforehand – we can request many documents ourselves.
Costs
What does the notary cost?
Notary fees are set by law for all notaries in Germany (Court and Notary Fees Act, GNotKG). They depend on the value and type of the transaction – not on the time spent.
We are happy to give you a cost estimate for your matter in advance.
Frequently asked questions
Questions and answers
Where can I have certificates certified in Dortmund?
Certificates can be certified by the issuing school or university, at the citizens’ office of the City of Dortmund or by a notary. For legally important or international purposes, notarial certification is particularly common.
Do I have to attend in person?
For a signature certification, yes – you sign in front of the notary or acknowledge your signature before him. For certified copies, the original is sufficient and can also be presented by another person.
What is the difference from a notarisation?
With a certification, the notary only confirms the signature or that the copy matches the original – not the content. With a notarisation, the notary reads the entire text aloud, explains it and advises on the legal consequences.
Do I need an apostille for use abroad?
Often, yes. For deeds of notaries in the Dortmund regional court district, the apostille is issued by the President of the Dortmund Regional Court. We are happy to check with you whether your destination country requires an apostille or legalisation.
Your contact
André Döttelbeck
Rechtsanwalt und Notar (lawyer and civil-law notary), official seat in Dortmund
Specialist lawyer for inheritance law · Specialist lawyer for banking and capital markets law
Call or write to us. We will discuss your matter, tell you which documents are needed and arrange an appointment at our office at Am Kai 8 by Lake Phoenix.
Phone: +49 231 700 188 71
Email: notar@doettelbeck.de
Office hours: Mon–Fri 9:00 am–3:30 pm
