Germany KYB Guide: Documents Required for Your MAKE Business Account

To complete your application, we'll need you to upload company documents, answer a few questions, and verify shareholders who own more than 5% of the company.

You will need to upload:

• Certificate of Incorporation
• Articles of Association
• Register of Directors 
• Register of Shareholders
• Certificate of Good Standing - Optional

Where to find this documentation:

Certificate of Incorporation (Handelsregisterauszug)
Proof that the company has been legally formed and registered as a corporate entity. It confirms the company's name, registration number, date of incorporation, and legal form.

This document is not issued once at incorporation and kept permanently; it must be requested each time it is needed, as it reflects your company's current registration status. You can obtain it via handelsregister.de or by contacting the local Amtsgericht (District Court) where your company is registered. It must carry the official court stamp. This document must be dated within 90 days of your submission to us.

Memorandum and Articles of Association (Gesellschaftsvertrag // Satzung)
The founding document that defines the company's purpose, structure, and internal governance rules. It acts as the company's legal constitution and was signed at the time of incorporation.

In Germany, this is the Gesellschaftsvertrag (GmbH) or Satzung (AG). Obtain a certified copy from the founding notary who handled the incorporation, or retrieve it via handelsregister website. It must be signed by the notary and dated with the business creation date.

Register of Directors 
A formal record of the individuals legally authorised to manage and represent the company. It confirms who holds executive responsibility and signing authority.

Germany does not issue a standalone certificate, but the current managing directors (Geschäftsführer / Vorstand) are listed on the Handelsregisterauszug (Certificate of Incorporation). A certified, up-to-date extract from handelsregister.de will serve this purpose.
It should be issued within 90 days.

Register of Shareholders (Gesellschafterliste // Aktienregister)
A record of who owns the company and in what proportion. It identifies the ultimate beneficial owners and their respective shareholdings.

For a GmbH, the Gesellschafterliste is publicly filed at the Handelsregister and accessible via the Handelsregister website. For an AG, the Aktienregister is maintained internally; you can provide it directly, signed by a director or a legal representative.
It should be issued within 90 days.

Certificate of Good Standing - Optional
Confirmation that the company is legally active, compliant, and in good standing with relevant authorities. It assures third parties that the company has not been dissolved or struck off.

Germany has no direct equivalent, but a current certified Handelsregisterauszug combined with an Unbedenklichkeitsbescheinigung from the Finanzamt (tax authority) is widely accepted as a substitute.

Shareholders:

Each shareholder who owns more than 5% will have their identity checked (KYC). Once you have submitted your business documents, you will add the shareholders.

Each shareholder will receive an email to complete their KYC. They will need to upload their passport and proof of address dated within the last 3 months.

Once all business documentation and shareholders' identities have been checked, your account will be approved. Usually taking 1-3 business days.