If we can't verify your company automatically when you sign up, we ask you for proof that your company is registered. You upload this proof in Cosuno: after you log in, the link in our email takes you straight to the upload page. You can also reach it through the notice at the top of Cosuno.
If we don't receive suitable proof within 30 days, we close your account.
What proof we need
The easiest option is your business registration (Gewerbeanmeldung). A notification of change to your business registration (Gewerbeummeldung) counts too. For it, also choose the "Gewerbeanmeldung" option.
Don't have your business registration at hand? Your local trade office (Gewerbeamt) can issue a copy. This usually costs €15–20. In person it is often issued on the spot, by post usually within a week.
Your company doesn't need a business registration, for example as a liberal profession? Then choose "Other document" and upload one of the documents listed below.
How to upload
You can upload one or more files (PDF, PNG or JPEG).
If several documents belong together, upload them all at once.
Once your proof is under review, you can no longer change it.
Please upload within 30 days of our email. We can't extend this deadline.
To get your proof accepted
The name on the document matches the company name from your sign-up. For sole proprietors, this is often your own name.
The document shows what your company does.
The document is easy to read and complete, with all pages.
You may black out personal details we don't need, such as your date of birth.
Alternatives in Germany
Type of company | Accepted proof |
Architects and urban planners | Confirmation of entry in the register of architects (depending on the chamber, e.g. "Eintragungsbescheinigung") |
Engineers with chamber membership, e.g. civil engineers and structural engineers | Membership certificate or confirmation of registration from the Chamber of Engineers (Ingenieurkammer) |
Freelance planners and site managers without chamber membership | Both together: the letter from the tax office (Finanzamt) that gave you your tax number, and the confirmation of your professional or business liability insurance that shows your line of work. |
Trade businesses whose business registration isn't available right now | Craft card (Handwerkskarte) from the Chamber of Crafts (Handwerkskammer) |
Your case isn't listed?
Under "Other document", upload two documents together:
a document that an authority, chamber or insurer addressed to your company, and
a document that shows your line of work.
Austria
Austria has no business registration in the German sense. The WKO membership confirmation is the equivalent: WKO membership is mandatory for every trade licence, and the confirmation names your trade group (Fachgruppe).
Type of company | Accepted proof |
All Austrian trade businesses | WKO membership confirmation (Mitgliedsbestätigung) or basic levy notice (Grundumlagenvorschreibung) |
Ziviltechniker:innen (chartered civil engineers and architects) | Notice granting the authorisation (Bescheid über die Verleihung der Befugnis) or confirmation of authorisation from the Chamber of Ziviltechniker |
Companies outside Germany and Austria
Choose "Other document" and upload an official document that an authority or chamber issued to your company, such as a registration or trade confirmation. If it doesn't show your line of work, also upload a document that does. A publicly available register extract alone is not enough.
What happens next
We review your proof and email you the result. If we don't accept your proof, we close your account.
Not accepted
Anyone can request these documents for any company, your clients receive them anyway, or they don't show what your company does:
Commercial register extract (Handelsregisterauszug)
GISA extract or "Gewerbeschein"
Exemption certificate under § 48b EStG (Freistellungsbescheinigung)
Certificates from SOKA-BAU or BG BAU
VAT ID confirmation
Extract from the HFU list
Extract from the PQ register
Documents you created yourself: letterheads, invoices, website screenshots, business cards
We deliberately don't ask for your ID card, tax assessment or bank statements. They contain more personal data than we need for the decision.