Trade licence lost: requesting a replacement in Essen

Trade licence (Gewerbeschein) lost in Essen: a replacement certificate is issued by the city of Essen's trade registration office (Gewerbemeldestelle) in the town hall, Porscheplatz 1. It costs 15 euros. You apply informally in writing by post; for security reasons the office does not accept emails. The city reports long waiting times. Our fixed price: 49.90 euros including the fee.

Replacement certificate Essen: the essentials

Responsible office
Stadt Essen, Gewerbemeldestelle beim Ordnungsamt, Rathaus, Porscheplatz 1, 45127 EssenAs of: 26.10.2026 · Stadt Essen
Official fee
replacement certificate for a lost trade licence 15 €As of: 26.10.2026 · Stadt Essen
How to apply
informally in writing by post · no email · in person only by appointmentAs of: 26.10.2026 · Stadt Essen
Processing time
no figure · the city reports long processing and waiting times due to staff shortagesAs of: 26.10.2026 · Stadt Essen
All details (3)
Payment
in writing: crossed cheque or fee notice · on site: cash, debit or credit card
Contact
Phone 0201 88-32777 · Fax 0201 88-32279 · Mon, Tue, Thu 8:30–12:30 and 14–15, Fri 8:30–12:30
Behördenfix fixed price
49.90 € including the city's fee

The replacement with Behördenfix

  1. 1Name the businessName or company, business address in Essen and date of registration.
  2. 2Pay the fixed priceThe city of Essen's 15 euros are included.
  3. 3Sign the applicationWe prepare the informal application, you sign it.
  4. 4Sending by postThe application goes by post to the Gewerbemeldestelle; we keep track of it.

Applying yourself at the Gewerbemeldestelle

The way without us, step by step

You can also apply for the replacement yourself at the city of Essen. The Gewerbemeldestelle sets clear rules:

  • Apply for replacement certificates informally in writing by post to the Gewerbemeldestelle, Porscheplatz 1, 45127 Essen.
  • No email: for security reasons the office accepts no notifications or documents of any kind by email, not even ID copies.
  • An appointment on site is possible. Free slots open two weeks in advance; cancelled slots become free again automatically.
  • Payment for written applications only by crossed cheque for the exact amount or by fee notice. The city does not process transfer slips or direct debits; cheques with the wrong amount are returned cancelled.
  • The Gewerbemeldestelle does not answer questions about processing status.
  • Costs: 15 euros for the replacement certificate. With us you pay 49.90 euros including this fee; we handle the application text, sending and monitoring.

Open the official page

What goes into the application

  • Name or company and address of the business premises in Essen.
  • If known: date of the trade registration and the registered activity.
More documents (2)
  • Your signature on the informal application, in the original by post.
  • For our order: your power of attorney, signed during the order.

What is special in Essen

Post only, long waits

In Essen the replacement is only available on paper: informally in writing by post. The city states explicitly that for security reasons it does not accept emails with notifications or documents.

More about Essen (4)

The Gewerbemeldestelle reports long processing and waiting times on its page due to staff shortages and asks people not to send status enquiries. If you need the replacement for a deadline, apply early.

The 15 euro fee matches Köln (Cologne). In Düsseldorf the replacement was not on the city's page during our research. Deregistering a trade is free in Essen; registration costs 26 euros, for legal entities 33 euros.

Not the same as information from the trade register: that costs 20 to 70 euros and is a separate service.

For the trade registration itself Essen has two online routes: the city's online trade registration and the Wirtschafts-Service-Portal.NRW with BundID or Mein Unternehmenskonto. The replacement certificate is not one of them; for it, the city names only the postal route. Payment there is by card or PayPal, in writing by cheque or notice.

Questions about a lost trade licence in Essen

What do I do if my trade licence is lost in Essen?

Apply for a replacement certificate at the city of Essen's Gewerbemeldestelle, informally in writing by post to Porscheplatz 1, 45127 Essen, not by email. Give your name or company and the business address. The replacement certificate costs 15 euros, paid by crossed cheque or fee notice.

Can I reach the Gewerbemeldestelle Essen by phone?

Yes, on 0201 88-32777, Monday, Tuesday and Thursday from 8:30 to 12:30 and 14 to 15, Friday until 12:30; closed on Wednesday. The office does not answer questions about the status of an application, though. You can only visit the town hall with an appointment.

How much does a second copy of the trade registration cost in Essen?

The city of Essen charges 15 euros for the replacement certificate for a lost trade licence. For comparison: the trade registration itself costs 26 euros, for legal entities 33 euros. With us the replacement costs 49.90 euros including the city's 15 euros, with application text, sending and follow-up.

Can I apply for the replacement by email or online?

No. The city of Essen's online trade registration is for registering, changing and deregistering. According to the city, you apply for replacement certificates informally in writing by post. The Gewerbemeldestelle accepts neither notifications nor documents by email, not even ID copies. An appointment on site is the only other route.

How do I get an appointment at the Gewerbemeldestelle Essen?

Via appointment booking in the city of Essen's service portal. Free slots open two weeks in advance; if someone cancels, the slot becomes free again automatically, so slots keep appearing. No personal visit without an appointment. You can still get the replacement without one, in writing by post.

Official sources

Reviewed by M. Gabal on 26.10.2026

Provided by Behördenfix (M. Gabal). Behördenfix prepares the application, sends it and keeps track of it. We do not give legal advice and do not assess your individual case.

All services in Essen (7)
Have the replacement requested· 49.90 €