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Registering an association in the register of associations

What registration costs — and what it actually protects against

Court of registration§§ 21 ff. BGBSeven founding members

An association comes into existence through its founding, not through registration. Even without being registered, it exists as an unregistered association and can act. What registration brings is legal capacity: a registered association itself becomes the holder of rights and obligations, can enter into contracts, acquire property and sue — and the people acting on its behalf are no longer personally liable for the association's debts. This protection from liability is the real reason to register, and it is often underestimated.

For registration, § 56 BGB requires at least seven members. This applies at the time of founding; if the number later falls below three, the association's legal capacity can be withdrawn. The articles of association must contain the minimum particulars set out in § 57 BGB — purpose, name and registered seat, as well as the intention to register.

The court fee is modest: the initial registration costs €75.00 under KV 13100 GNotKG. In addition, there is the notarial certification of the application, which is billed separately. The Rechtspfleger (senior judicial officer) decides on the registration.

Last updated28 August 2026
Legal basis§§ 21 ff. BGB · GNotKG KV 13100
VerificationGNotKG KV 13100 · §§ 56, 59 BGB · § 3 RPflG
Written and reviewed byAndrés Sánchez Botta
Independent information website: we are not the Amtsgericht, not an authority and not a paid advice service – we do not submit applications on your behalf. All information comes from official sources and is explained here in plain language; binding information always comes from the competent body. No legal advice and not an official authority. We are neither lawyers nor tax consultants: we document official procedures and check the information against the official source – this is information, not legal or tax advice.
Initial registration€75.00GNotKG KV 13100
Founding membersAt least seven§ 56 BGB
EffectNo personal liabilityThe association is liable itself
Required documents

What you need

The articles of association

With the minimum particulars under § 57 BGB: the association’s purpose, name and registered seat, as well as the statement that it is to be registered. If the association is to be a charity, the articles of association must additionally satisfy the requirements of the Fiscal Code (Abgabenordnung, AO) — have the Finanzamt (tax office) check them before registration, which avoids a later amendment to the articles plus a new fee.

Founding minutes with seven signatures

The minutes of the founding meeting, showing the resolution on the articles of association and the election of the board, signed by at least seven founding members. Fewer does not suffice for the initial registration.

Application in publicly certified form

The application is signed by the board members authorised to represent the association; the signatures are certified by a notary. The notary submits the application electronically to the court of registration.

Information on the board

Names and powers of representation of the board members. The articles of association must show who represents the association and how — whether alone or jointly. Unclear representation rules are the most common reason for a Zwischenverfügung (official notice to remedy a defect in the application).

Step by step

How to proceed

  1. 1

    Drafting the articles of association and having them checked for charitable status

    The minimum particulars under § 57 BGB are quickly met; charitable status is more demanding. Submit the draft articles of association to the Finanzamt before you found the association. A later amendment to the articles of association costs a further registration fee and a fresh certification.

  2. 2

    Holding the founding meeting with seven members

    § 56 BGB requires at least seven members for registration. At the meeting, the articles of association are resolved and the board is elected; both belong in the minutes. If the number of members later falls below three, the association's legal capacity can be withdrawn.

  3. 3

    Having the application notarially certified

    The board members authorised to represent the association sign the application before the notary, who certifies the signatures and submits the documents electronically. The notarial fee is separate from the registration fee.

  4. 4

    Examination by the Rechtspfleger

    They examine the articles of association, the minutes and the application. Objections are issued as a Zwischenverfügung — usually concerning the representation rule or missing minimum particulars in the articles of association. This application is generally decided not by a judge but by the Rechtspfleger: § 3 RPflG assigns to them, among other things, probate, register, land registry and insolvency matters. This is more than a question of jurisdiction, because the available legal remedy follows from it: if no other appellate remedy is available against the decision, the Erinnerung (objection to a decision of the Rechtspfleger) is available under § 11 Abs. 2 RPflG, to be lodged within two weeks. The Rechtspfleger can grant it themselves; if they do not, they refer it to the judge. The Erinnerung procedure is free of court fees.

  5. 5

    After registration: the name suffix and the Finanzamt

    From registration, the association carries the suffix “e. V.” and has legal capacity. Register it with the Finanzamt; charitable status is decided not by the court of registration but by the Finanzamt in a separate procedure.

Fee information

Costs and payment

Registration feesGNotKG, main section on register matters
Initial registration of the association (KV 13100)€75.00
Later entries (e.g. a change of board)Under the GNotKG
Notarial certification of the applicationAdditional
Inspecting the register of associationsVia the register portal
Recognition of charitable statusFinanzamt, separate procedure

The registration fee is separate from the notary fees. Every later amendment to the articles of association and every change of board triggers a new entry and therefore new costs — which is why it is worth drafting the articles of association carefully and with future developments in mind before founding the association.

Good to know

Important notes

The association comes into existence with its founding, not with registration. What registration brings is legal capacity — and with it, the people acting on its behalf are no longer personally liable for the association’s debts.

Seven members are required for registration (§ 56 BGB). If the number later falls below three, the association's legal capacity can be withdrawn.

Charitable status is a matter for the Finanzamt, not the court of registration. The court only examines the requirements under the law on associations. Have the articles of association looked at by the Finanzamt in advance — a later amendment costs again.

Unclear representation rules are the most common reason for an objection. The articles of association must clearly show who represents the association alone and who only jointly.

Every amendment to the articles of association and every change of board must be reported again and triggers new costs. Carefully drafted articles of association save more in the long run than the founding fee.

Avoid these mistakes

Common mistakes

Applying for registration with fewer than seven founding members. § 56 BGB does not allow this; the application will be objected to.

Drafting the articles of association without regard to charitable status. The court of registration does not check them for this — but the Finanzamt does, and a chargeable amendment to the articles of association then becomes necessary.

Leaving the representation rule open. Without a clear rule, a Zwischenverfügung is issued, and registration is delayed by weeks.

Assuming that the association cannot act without registration. It can — but the people acting on its behalf are personally liable, and this is exactly what registration changes.

Giving up after a rejection by the Rechtspfleger. The Erinnerung under § 11 Abs. 2 RPflG is free of court fees and runs for two weeks.

Frequently asked questions

Questions and answers

What does registering an association cost?

The initial registration costs €75.00 under KV 13100 GNotKG. In addition, there is the notarial certification of the application, which the notary bills separately. Later entries such as amendments to the articles of association or changes of board each trigger new fees.

How many members do I need?

At least seven for registration (§ 56 BGB). This number must be reached when the association is founded. If the number of members later falls below three, the association's legal capacity can be withdrawn — between three and seven, however, it continues to exist.

What does registration actually bring?

Legal capacity. The registered association itself becomes the holder of rights and obligations: it enters into contracts in its own name and can acquire property and sue. Above all, the people acting on its behalf are no longer personally liable for the association's debts — for an unregistered association, this risk is real.

Does registration make my association a charity?

No. Charitable status is decided by the Finanzamt in a separate procedure under the Fiscal Code (Abgabenordnung, AO); the court of registration only examines the requirements under the law on associations. Submit the draft articles of association to the Finanzamt before founding the association for this reason — otherwise a chargeable amendment to the articles of association may become necessary.

Can I file the application for registration myself?

The application requires publicly certified form: the board members authorised to represent the association sign before the notary, who certifies the signatures and transmits the documents electronically to the court of registration.

Who decides on the entry?

The Rechtspfleger, to whom § 3 RPflG assigns matters relating to associations. Objections are issued as a Zwischenverfügung with a deadline. Against a rejection, if no other appellate remedy is available, the Erinnerung is available under § 11 Abs. 2 RPflG — two weeks, free of court fees.

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