Copy of a lost school certificate

We request a copy of your lost school certificate from the responsible office.

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A copy of a lost leaving or final school certificate is issued by the school that issued the certificate. If the school has closed, the school authority or the body that ran the school can help. We find the right office and write the application.

Our fixed price
49.90 €+ the authorities' fees (paid later)
Official fee
no official fee
Processing time
14–42 days

Please note

  • • You sign the form yourself

Who is this for?

  • Your school certificate is lost and you need it, for example for a job application or university.

How your order works

  1. 1You choose the service and pay the fixed price.
  2. 2You upload your documents and sign the power of attorney online.
  3. 3We fill in the official form for you.
  4. 4You sign the form yourself, because the authority requires your own signature.
  5. 5We file everything, follow the application and update you at every step.

Before payment

Only name, email and city.

Required documents

After payment we need

  • Name and address of the school
  • Type of certificate, year and class of leaving, name at the time
  • Date of birth
  • Place of birth
  • Address
  • Phone number
  • Declaration that the certificate is missing, lost or destroyed
  • School attendance period, month/year from–to (if known)
  • Education programme or training occupation (if applicable)
  • Copy of ID card or passport
  • Your signature on the form

Good to know

  • According to the City of Cologne, its schools keep final and leaving certificates for 50 years.
  • Municipal schools in Cologne issue the copy free of charge. If an office charges a fee, it is added at cost.
  • You sign the application yourself; a copy of your ID is attached.

Responsible office

Die Schule, die das Zeugnis ausgestellt hat; bei aufgelöster Schule Schulträger oder Schulaufsicht

Channel to the authority

Letter · Email

The result is sent directly to your address.

Legal basis

Schulgesetze der Länder (Aufbewahrung der Schulunterlagen)

Frequently asked questions

What does the copy cost?

Our price covers finding the office, the application and follow-up. A school fee is only added if the school charges one.

My school no longer exists – what now?

Then the body that ran the school, the school authority or a successor school usually keeps the records. We ask there.

How long does it take?

It depends on the school. For closed schools the City of Cologne states at least four weeks.

Do I have to go to the authority myself for "Copy of a lost school certificate"?

No. With your power of attorney we file the application with the responsible office (Die Schule, die das Zeugnis ausgestellt hat; bei aufgelöster Schule Schulträger oder Schulaufsicht).

How long does it take?

Usually 14 to 42 days, depending on the authority.

Is the official fee included in the price?

No. The authorities' fees come on top. You pay them later, once they are known.

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What we do and what we don't

  • We fill in applications based on your details, file them and follow them up.
  • We give no legal or tax advice and do not assess chances of success.
  • We are a private service, not a public authority.
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