Document background
The Letter of Incorporation (Gründungsurkunde) is a mandatory document required for establishing a new company in Germany. It serves as the foundational document that formally creates the legal entity and must be executed before a German notary public. This document is used when founders wish to establish a new company and need to comply with German corporate law requirements. The Letter of Incorporation includes crucial information such as the company's name, purpose, registered office, share capital, shareholder details, and management structure. It must be submitted to the Commercial Register along with supporting documentation such as the Articles of Association, proof of capital contribution, and other required attachments. The document's content and format are strictly regulated by German corporate law, particularly the Commercial Code (HGB) and either the Limited Liability Companies Act (GmbH-Gesetz) or Stock Corporation Act (AktG), depending on the chosen company form.
