Fill in Vorsorgevollmacht online
Lasting power of attorney that lets someone you trust handle your health and financial matters if you can't.
Do not sign this form electronically. Vorsorgevollmacht has to be signed by hand, in person or through the agency’s own filing system. You can type your details into the PDF here, then print it and follow the official instructions to sign and submit it.
Vorsorgevollmacht at a glance
- Official name
- Vorsorgevollmacht
- Issued by
- Bundesministerium der Justiz und für Verbraucherschutz (BMJV)
- Country
- Germany
- Category
- Legal and powers of attorney
- Language
- German
- Who uses it
- Adults planning ahead.
- Signature
Print and sign by hand
Print the completed form and sign it by hand. You can have your signature officially certified by your local Betreuungsbehörde (care authority) for a fee of €10, which helps banks and others accept it. Notarisation is a separate option.
A Vorsorgevollmacht (lasting power of attorney) lets you name a trusted person who can act for you in health, housing, official and financial matters if you can no longer do so yourself. Adults planning ahead use the Federal Ministry of Justice's template. Download the form from bmjv.de, open it in BunnyDoc's free Sign PDF tool, type your details into its fillable fields and download it to print and sign by hand. The PDF is handled in your browser and never leaves your device.
How to fill in Vorsorgevollmacht
Download the official template
Get the Vorsorgevollmacht form from the BMJV form page linked here and open it in Sign PDF. The ministry also publishes bilingual versions, including German and English.
Name yourself and your attorney
Enter your own details as the person granting the power (Vollmachtgeber) and the details of the person you trust (Bevollmächtigte). You can name more than one person.
Choose the areas the power covers
Tick yes or no for each area, such as health care and care decisions, where you live, dealings with authorities, money and property, post and telecommunications, and representation in court. Only grant powers to someone you trust completely.
Add any further instructions
Decide whether the attorney may appoint substitutes and whether the power continues after your death, and add any wishes in the free text fields.
Print and sign by hand
Print the form and sign and date it by hand. Keep the original safe and tell your attorney where it is, because they usually need to show the original.
Optional: certify and register it
You can have your signature certified at your local Betreuungsbehörde and register the power of attorney with the Zentrales Vorsorgeregister of the Bundesnotarkammer so care courts can find it.
What you need before you start
- Your full name, date of birth and address.
- The name, date of birth and address of each person you want to appoint, and their agreement to act.
- A clear idea of which areas they should cover.
- The template from the BMJV form page.
Do I need a notary or certification?
The federal service description explains that your local Betreuungsbehörde (care authority) can publicly certify your signature on a Vorsorgevollmacht or Betreuungsverfügung. You sign in person or confirm your existing signature in front of the official, who checks your ID. The fee is €10. Certification can make banks and other institutions more willing to accept the document, but it does not replace a notarial deed in every case.
You can also register the power of attorney in the Zentrales Vorsorgeregister. Registration costs a one-off fee that starts at €24 online by direct debit.
Common mistakes
- Leaving areas blank instead of ticking yes or no.
- Signing a printed copy with a scanned or typed signature.
- Not telling the attorney where the original is kept.
- Assuming a bank will accept it without asking; some banks have their own forms.
Vorsorgevollmacht: frequently asked questions
Does a Vorsorgevollmacht have to be handwritten?
No. You can type it on the official template, but you should print it and sign it by hand.
Can I sign a Vorsorgevollmacht electronically?
This document is meant to be printed and signed by hand, and the original is shown when it is used. Do not rely on an electronic signature for it.
Do I need a notary?
Not for the power of attorney to be valid. Your local Betreuungsbehörde can certify your signature for €10, which is often enough for others to accept it, but it does not replace a notarial deed in every case.
Where should I keep it?
Keep the original in a safe place your attorney knows about, and consider registering it with the Zentrales Vorsorgeregister so care courts can find it.
What is the difference between a Vorsorgevollmacht and a Patientenverfügung?
A Vorsorgevollmacht names someone to act for you. A Patientenverfügung records which medical treatments you want or refuse. Many people make both.
Is BunnyDoc connected to the BMJV?
No. BunnyDoc is not affiliated with the Federal Ministry of Justice. We link to the official form on bmjv.de and give you a free tool to fill it in your browser.
BunnyDoc is not affiliated with Bundesministerium der Justiz und für Verbraucherschutz (BMJV). Always download the latest edition from the official site and follow its instructions for signing and filing.
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