Applying for a duplicate business registration (Gewerbeschein) in Köln
A duplicate of your business registration (Gewerbeschein-Zweitschrift), i.e. a further copy of your registration, is issued in Köln by the Gewerbemeldestelle (trade registration office) at Willy-Brandt-Platz 3. It costs 15 euros and is applied for in writing by post or fax, signed by the applicant; email is not accepted. We write and send the application: 49,90 euros.
Duplicate business registration in Köln at a glance
- Responsible office
- Gewerbemeldestelle der Stadt Köln
- Address
- Willy-Brandt-Platz 3, 50679 Köln
- Official fee
- €15 (tariff item 10.1.1.1.4 of the general fee schedule of NRW)
- How to apply
- in writing by post or fax with a simple letter · in person only in exceptional cases with an appointment · not by email or contact form
All details (5)Show less
- Processing time
- not published
- Signature
- The application must be signed by the applicant; the office rejects incomplete applications
- Power of attorney
- Representation possible: power of attorney to apply for a duplicate plus a copy of your ID
- Contact
- Phone 0221 / 221-27751, Monday to Friday 7 to 18 · Fax 0221 / 221-28643
- Behördenfix fixed price
- 49,90 € including the fee
As of: 22.10.2026 · Source: Stadt Köln
How we apply for your duplicate
- 1Name the business and legal formName, business address and legal form, then pay online.
- 2Receive application and power of attorneyWe write the application and the power of attorney for the duplicate.
- 3SignAll applicants sign, plus a copy of their ID.
- 4Submit by post or faxWe send it to the Gewerbemeldestelle and follow up if there are delays.
Applying yourself at the trade office in Köln
The way without us, step by step
In Köln, you apply for the duplicate with a simple letter; no visit is needed.
- Write a letter, sign it by hand and send it by post to the Gewerbemeldestelle, Willy-Brandt-Platz 3, 50679 Köln, or by fax to 0221 / 221-28643.
- Enclose a copy of your ID card or passport; for a registered legal entity, a current extract from the commercial register.
- Not by email and not via the contact form: the city does not accept these applications for data protection reasons and because the signature is missing.
- The office rejects incorrectly received or incomplete applications, so check all signatures and documents.
- Costs if you apply yourself: 15 euros plus postage. With us you pay 49,90 euros; for this we take care of the text, power of attorney, sending and follow-up.
Documents depending on the legal form
- Written application, signed by the applicant.
- ID card or passport of the applicant.
More documents (2)Show less
- For a registered legal entity: a current extract from the commercial register (Handelsregister), available from the Amtsgericht Köln (local court).
- If represented: power of attorney to apply for a duplicate and a copy of your ID.
Köln: signature required, not by email
Signature required, not by email
In Köln, the application for a duplicate must be signed. The city expressly excludes email and the contact form; post and fax are accepted, and in person only in exceptional cases with an appointment.
More about Cologne (3)Show less
According to the city, who signs depends on the legal form: for a sole proprietorship the business owner, for a GbR all partners together, for a corporation the management, for a partnership all partners together.
A duplicate is available for every business registration, including a change or deregistration. It is a further copy, not a new registration.
For registrations, changes and deregistrations, the Gewerbemeldestelle at Willy-Brandt-Platz 3 has open consultation hours without an appointment, on Mondays, Tuesdays, Thursdays and Fridays from 8 to 12. This does not apply to the duplicate: here the city provides for the written route. Entrance and lifts are fully accessible for wheelchair users, and there are marked disabled parking spaces.
Frequently asked questions about the duplicate business registration in Köln
What should I do if my business registration in Köln is lost?
You apply to the city of Köln's Gewerbemeldestelle for a duplicate, i.e. a further copy of your business registration. This is done with a simple, signed letter by post or fax and costs 15 euros. A new registration is not needed. We write the application for you.
Where do I get a copy of my business registration in Köln?
At the Gewerbemeldestelle, Willy-Brandt-Platz 3, 50679 Köln. According to the city, you can apply for further copies of every business registration. A personal visit is not required and only possible in exceptional cases with an appointment. You can reach the office by phone on 0221 / 221-27751, Monday to Friday from 7 to 18.
What does a duplicate business registration cost in Köln?
15 euros under tariff item 10.1.1.1.4 of the general fee schedule of the general administrative fee regulation of NRW, as of 22.10.2026 according to the city of Köln. The fee is paid to the city; it does not name any further amount for the duplicate. With us you pay 49,90 euros including the fee.
Can I apply for the duplicate by email?
No. The city of Köln does not accept applications by email or contact form, for data protection reasons and because the signature is missing. Post and fax are accepted. The Gewerbemeldestelle rejects incorrectly received or incomplete applications. We send your signed application by the accepted route.
Who has to sign the application?
According to the city of Köln, for a sole proprietorship the business owner, for a GbR all partners together, for a corporation the management and for a partnership all partners together. If you are represented, the representative needs your power of attorney and a copy of your ID. We prepare the signature pages for everyone involved.
Do I need a commercial register extract for a GmbH?
Yes. If you registered a registered legal entity, the city of Köln requires a current extract from the commercial register. According to the city, you get it from the Amtsgericht Köln, Reichenspergerplatz 1, phone 0221 / 7711-0. In addition, the ID of the managing director who signs the application is needed.
Official sources
Reviewed by M. Gabal on 26.10.2026
Provided by Behördenfix (M. Gabal). Behördenfix fills in, submits and tracks the application. We do not give legal advice and do not assess your individual case.