Recognition of School Qualifications

Your German or foreign school leaving certificates will be assessed by our certificate recognition office with regard to their equivalence to the

• Certificate of vocational education (BBR),
• Advanced vocational qualification (EBBR),
• Intermediate school leaving certificate (MSA),
• University of Applied Sciences entrance qualification,
• Subject-related higher education entrance qualification,
• General higher education entrance qualification (Abitur)

The certificate of the Certificate Recognition Office is only valid for use in the state of Berlin and not in other federal states. Unfortunately, certificate assessments for other federal states cannot be carried out.

You can only apply for recognition of your school-leaving certificate at the Certificate Recognition Office

• if you have your permanent residence, i.e. your center of life, in Berlin and can prove this with your residence permit or
• if you can prove that you have an apprenticeship or job in Berlin by means of a residence permit, an offer or a contract for an apprenticeship or job.

You can submit your application either in person during office hours, by post or via the in-house letterbox (to the left of the main entrance). Applications will be processed as soon as all the necessary documents have been submitted.

Important note:

If you would like to apply for a place at a university or university of applied sciences in Berlin with a degree obtained abroad, the recognition of your degree will only be granted to

• by the respective university or
• from uni-assist
• by the Foundation for University Admissions.

1. completed and signed application for evaluation of documents as a general school leaving certificate
2. curriculum vitae with details of educational history (school/study/profession)
3. educational certificates (school certificates, university entrance examination if applicable, certificates of study/study achievements or degrees*, professional qualifications*)
4. German translations of the educational certificates by translators sworn for the German courts and authorities → The translation of English or French language educational certificates is not required.
5. copy of passport and/or identity card and/or late repatriate/displaced persons’ identity card
6. copy of residence permit, residence title or visa and supplementary sheet (if available)
7. registration certificate (if available)
8. proof of name change (if necessary)

(*) These certificates are required for the examination of the highest possible general school-leaving qualification. The Certificate Recognition Office is not responsible for academic degrees or professional qualifications obtained abroad.

Applying on location

If you apply for recognition in person at the Zeugnisanerkennungsstelle, please submit all original educational certificates and translations as well as simple photocopies.

Application by letter

If you submit the application in writing, have the copies of the educational certificates and the translations officially certified by one of the institutions listed below:

• German state authority (such as German diplomatic missions abroad or citizens’ offices)
• German court
• German notary’s office
• Foreign representation of the country in which the educational certificates were obtained (embassy/consulate)

The following fees apply for the examination and recognition of a foreign or domestic school-leaving qualification:

• Examination of foreign school-leaving qualifications: 55 euros
• Examination of domestic school-leaving qualifications: 45 euros

You do not pay the fee directly or on site, but after you have received a written request for payment from us.