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Law

Submit a guardianship order / application for guardianship

Application to the Guardianship Court for the appointment of a legal guardian for adults who are no longer able to manage their own affairs.

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Damit wir Submit a guardianship order / application for guardianship mit dem zuständigen Amtsgericht in Ihrer Stadt anzeigen können.

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Sie werden zur geführten Suche weitergeleitet – mit Kontaktdaten, Termin und nächsten Schritten für Submit a guardianship order / application for guardianship.

Processing: approx. 4 weeksSuccess rate: 85.0 %
Last reviewed: August 07, 2026

Quick answer

  1. 1

    Documents you need

    Identification card or passport

  2. 2

    Responsible authority

    The authority of your main residence

  3. 3

    How to do it

    In person or by post at the office

  4. 4

    Costs

    10–80 € je nach Urkunde/Verfahren

Find the responsible authority

How to proceed

  1. 1

    File a petition with the guardianship court (district court)

    In writing, including a description of the need and a doctor's note.

  2. 2

    Hearing of the person concerned

    A judge or judicial officer speaks with the person concerned.

  3. 3

    A guardian is appointed by the court

    Prefer family members or volunteer caregivers.

Responsible authority

The authority of your main place of residence is responsible.Find authority →

The essentials before applying

Who is eligible?

Adults who, due to illness, disability, or other circumstances, require assistance with legal matters, or their family members.

Income limit

Processing time

Nationwide: approx. approx. 4 weeks

Success rate

approx. 85.0 % (estimate)

Most common mistakes

  • Request for guardianship without prior power of attorney (a durable power of attorney is more advisable)
  • Scope of care is too broad

Common reasons for rejection

  • Power of attorney (advance healthcare directive) is already in place and sufficient
  • The data subject's personal responsibility was not sufficiently taken into account

Alternatives

  • Check related services in the application assistant
  • Use social counselling before applying

If rejected

File a written objection within 30 days – with reasons why the decision is wrong and any missing evidence.

Related services

Questions & Answers

How much does it cost to file a power of attorney for guardianship or an application for guardianship?

10–80 € depending on the certificate/procedure.

How long does it take to file a power of attorney for guardianship or an application for guardianship?

Typically about 28 business days—depending on the agency and its workload.

Freshness & source

Maintenance
Continuously reviewed & updated
Source
Bundesamt für Justiz
Data quality
100 %

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