Certification of signatures

(1) The authorities designated by the Federal Government by statutory instrument within the meaning of section 1(1), no. 1, and the authorities competent under Land law, are entitled to certify signatures where the signed document is needed for presentation to an authority or to another body to which the signed document must be presented by virtue of a legal provision. This does not apply to
1. signatures without accompanying text;
2. signatures requiring public certification (section 129 of the Civil Code).
(2) A signature should be certified only where it is executed or acknowledged in the presence of the certifying official.
(3) The certification note is to be placed directly by the signature to be certified. It must contain
1. the confirmation that the signature is genuine;
2. the exact designation of the person whose signature is being certified, and an indication whether the official competent for the certification has satisfied himself or herself of that person's identity, and whether the signature was executed or acknowledged in his or her presence;
3. the indication that the certification is intended only for presentation to the authority or body named;
4. the place and day of certification, the signature of the official competent for the certification, and the official seal.
(4) Subsections (1) to (3) apply correspondingly to the certification of hand signs.
(5) The statutory instruments under subsections (1) and (4) do not require the consent of the Bundesrat.