Federal eagle; application for authorization for use

If you wish to use a depiction of the federal eagle, you must apply for permission.

Verwendung des Bundesadlers Genehmigung
You can apply for permission to use the federal eagle online at the Federal Administration Office (BVA).

Street address

Barbarastr. 1
50735 Köln

Postal address

50728 Köln

Mehr zur Behörde

The Federal Office of Administration (BVA) is a higher federal authority and is responsible for approving the use of the federal eagle.

State emblems such as the federal eagle, the federal coat of arms and the federal service flag may only be used by federal authorities or for their official purposes. This also applies to representations of the federal eagle (e.g. coats of arms, parts of coats of arms and flags) that are confusingly similar to them. The Federal Office of Administration is not responsible for the coats of arms of the federal states. You can find out whether use is permitted from the respective state ministries of the interior.

As a rule, the use of national emblems is not permitted for you as a private individual, company or association. If you are not sure whether your (intended) use of the federal eagle, the federal coat of arms or the federal service flag is permitted, please ask. You can simply attach drafts to the following form and have them checked.

If you have the impression that federal emblems are being misused, you are welcome to report this to the BVA at hoheitszeichen@bva.bund.de.
If you require approval to produce the large and small federal seals and would like to be included in the list of companies authorized to produce them, you can apply for approval in writing or by e-mail at hoheitszeichen@bva.bund.de.

The federal coat of arms is the national coat of arms of the Federal Republic of Germany. It is designed in the colors black, red and gold of the federal flag and shows the black federal eagle on a golden-yellow shield tapered at the bottom.

The service flag of the federal authorities (federal service flag) contains the same horizontal stripes as the federal flag and the so-called federal shield. In contrast to the federal coat of arms, this is a semi-circular shield and the eagle is drawn slightly differently. The federal shield is used on the federal service flag, on the service flag of the naval forces of the Bundeswehr and on the troop flags of the Bundeswehr.

Note:
Please note that the use of federal emblems without authorization is an administrative offence and can be punished with a fine

Due to the large number of different case constellations, it is unfortunately not possible to go into individual requirements for approval here for reasons of space. For detailed information, please contact the Federal Office of Administration (BVA).

Required Documents
For the application is required:
- Information for establishing identity
  - for natural persons:
    - the surname and first name, title and
    - the address
  - in the case of legal persons:
    - additionally the name of the company and, if applicable, the address of its registered office
- Contact details:
  - telephone number and
  - e-mail address.
- Description of the purpose of use

You can apply for permission to use the federal eagle in writing or online at the Federal Office of Administration (BVA).

Written application:

Submit an informal application in writing to the BVA.
The BVA will examine your application.
Once your application has been reviewed, the BVA will send you a written reply by e-mail or post.

Online application:

Go to the website of the federal portal and complete the application form electronically.
Attach the other required documents as a scan.
Submit your application.
The BVA will check your application.
Once your application has been reviewed, the BVA will send you a written reply by e-mail or post.