Documents
Security codes on registration certificates: find and reveal them
Where the security codes are on your registration documents, how many characters they have, how to reveal them safely and which visible number is not a code.
Updated on 29 October 2026 · 5 min read
What the hidden codes are for
When applying in person, you present the original documents to the authority. In the online procedure, the security codes take over this role. The registration authority compares the code you enter with its stored data and thus recognises that you actually hold the original document.
For this to work, the codes remain concealed until they are used. Only when you start an online procedure do you reveal the codes you need.
Treat a revealed code like a key. If you sell a vehicle and show photos of the documents in an advert, cover the code fields and the vehicle identification number.
Zulassungsbescheinigung Teil I: 7 characters
On the Zulassungsbescheinigung Teil I (registration certificate part I, the vehicle registration document), the code is covered by a scratch-off layer or a sticker. It always consists of exactly 7 characters. You need it for a transfer, a re-registration and a change of address, i.e. wherever an existing registration document is involved.
Note on stickers from the manufacturer Borgard: an 8-digit number is already visible in the small window before the code is revealed. This is the document serial number, not the security code. The actual code lies beneath the sticker.
Zulassungsbescheinigung Teil II: 12 characters
The Zulassungsbescheinigung Teil II (registration certificate part II, the German vehicle title) carries a code of exactly 12 characters, located under a cover field. It is requested for a new registration, a transfer and a re-registration. For a new car, it is usually the only code you need, because there is no registration document yet.
For financed or leased vehicles, the Zulassungsbescheinigung Teil II is often held by the bank or the leasing company. Request the document or the owner's cooperation in good time before planning an online procedure that requires the 12-character code.
Registration seals: only for deregistration
The registration seals (Stempelplaketten) on the number plates also carry a code, with 3 characters per plate. These codes are only needed for deregistration. For a registration, transfer or change of address, leave the seals untouched.
If you want to deregister a vehicle, our sister platform Abmeldung24 (abmeldung24.digital) is the right place.
How to reveal the codes safely
A scratched code cannot be repaired. So take a moment and work in good light.
- only reveal the code that the respective procedure actually requires
- scratch at a shallow angle with a fingernail or the edge of a coin, not with a knife or key
- peel stickers off slowly, starting from one corner
- write down the code immediately and carefully distinguish similar-looking characters such as 0 and O
- then store the document securely as usual
No code, or the code is illegible?
Vehicle documents issued before 2015 often do not yet have security codes. With such documents, the online route is generally not possible. The same applies if a code was damaged while being revealed. In both cases, the only option is to apply in person at the registration authority.
Frequently asked questions
Will my registration document become invalid if I reveal the code?
No. Revealing the code is expressly intended and does not invalidate the document. Nevertheless, keep the document carefully afterwards, as the code is now openly readable.
An 8-digit number is shown in the window. Is that the code?
No. On Borgard stickers, the visible 8-digit number is the document serial number. The security code of the Zulassungsbescheinigung Teil I always has 7 characters and is hidden under the sticker.
Should I check the codes when buying a used car?
Yes. Before paying, check whether both code fields are undamaged or whether codes that have already been revealed are fully legible. Without legible codes, you cannot transfer the vehicle to your name online.
Which codes do I need for which procedure?
For a new registration, the 12-character code of the Zulassungsbescheinigung Teil II is usually sufficient. A transfer and a re-registration also require the 7-character code of part I, and a change of address requires only that one. You need the 3-character seal codes exclusively for deregistration.