Akteneinsicht in Unterlagen des ehemaligen DDR-Staatssicherheitsdienstes ("Stasi-Unterlagen") beantragen

• § 15 Gesetz über die Unterlagen des Staatssicherheitsdienstes der ehemaligen Deutschen Demokratischen Republik (Stasi-Unterlagen-Gesetz, StUG)
• Gesetz zur Änderung des Bundesarchivgesetzes, des Stasi-Unterlagen-Gesetzes und zur Errichtung einer oder eines SED-Opferbeauftragten
• Besondere Gebührenverordnung BKM (BKMBGebV)

Every person has the right to apply for access to the documents of the State Security Service (Staatssicherheitsdienst) of the former GDR concerning him or her. The records on missing or deceased persons are exceptionally accessible to relatives under the restrictive conditions of the Stasi Records Act.

With the dissolution of the Office of the Federal Commissioner for the Stasi Files (BStU), the records of the State Security Service of the former GDR will continue to be indexed and administered by the Federal Archives as of 17 June 2021.

• Identity card or identity verification by the local registration office (ortszuständige Meldebehörde)

for information on missing or deceased relatives:

• Proof of relationship (for example birth certificates)
• Report of a missing person/deceased relative's death certificate

in addition, in the case of third-degree relatives:

• Proof that no close relatives are available

• Persons entitled to apply: close relatives
• legitimate interest / legitimate purpose
• overriding interests of the person concerned that are worthy of protection remain unaffected

Access is excluded if the will of the missing person or deceased person is opposed.

Information / Inspection

• for affected persons, third parties or close relatives: none
• for former Stasi employees and beneficiaries: EUR 76.69
• Expenses for additional copies (from EUR 3.01/3 ct. per copy)

You can apply for access to the Stasi files using the forms provided or online.

• You can obtain the application form online via the BStU internet portal (forms link in Amt24).
• Fill out the application and submit it with the required evidence in person or in writing to the Stasi Records Archive (see -> Competent Office).
• You will receive written confirmation that your application has been received.

Online application

To submit an application, you will need

• a modern identity card / electronic residence permit with activated online ID function
• a card reader or a suitable smartphone to read the identity document
• the "AusweisApp2
• Scanner or digital camera for uploading the supporting documents

You create the application with the help of an electronic assistant on the Federal Archives' (Bundesarchiv) internet platform.

• Follow the link to the online application and fill in the data fields according to the instructions. You can save the information at any time and complete it later.
• Once you have filled in all the data fields, you can generate your application as a PDF file.
• You will receive written confirmation that your application has been received.

• first information: within half a year

Due to the high number of applications and the time-consuming preparatory work, there could be a longer waiting period before the documents can be inspected.