Dictionary of official German
Words from the letters of German offices, explained simply. 20 words
A
- Aktenzeichen The Aktenzeichen is the reference number under which an office keeps your case.
- Anhörung In an Anhörung (hearing), the office asks for your view before it decides.
- Antrag With an Antrag (application), you ask an office for something, for example money or a permit.
B
- Bekanntgabe Bekanntgabe (notification) means: a Bescheid counts as having reached you. The deadline usually counts from this day.
- Bescheid A Bescheid is a letter in which an office decides something about your case.
- Bußgeldbescheid With a Bußgeldbescheid, an office demands a fine from you, for example because you drove too fast.
E
- Einschreiben An Einschreiben is a registered letter: the post records when it was sent and when it arrived.
- Einspruch With an Einspruch, you challenge certain decisions, for example from the Finanzamt (tax office) or a Bußgeldbescheid (fine).
F
- Frist A Frist is the time within which you must do something, for example reply or file a Widerspruch.
K
- Klage With a Klage (lawsuit), you ask a court to check a decision made by an office.
M
- Mahnbescheid A Mahnbescheid is a letter from a court. Someone uses it to demand money from you.
- Mitwirkungspflicht If you apply for or receive social benefits, you have a Mitwirkungspflicht (duty to cooperate). You must help the office check your case.
P
- Postzustellungsurkunde With a Postzustellungsurkunde (certificate of service), the post proves on which day it formally delivered a letter to you.
R
- Rechtsbehelfsbelehrung The Rechtsbehelfsbelehrung is a text at the end of a Bescheid. It explains how you can challenge the decision.
S
- Steuerbescheid A Steuerbescheid (tax assessment) tells you how much tax you must pay or will get back. It usually comes from the Finanzamt.
U
- Überprüfungsantrag With an Überprüfungsantrag (request for review), you ask an office such as the Jobcenter to check an old Bescheid again.
V
- Vollstreckungsbescheid A Vollstreckungsbescheid comes from the court if you did not file a Widerspruch against a Mahnbescheid in time.
W
- Widerspruch With a Widerspruch, you tell the office: I do not agree with this Bescheid.
- Widerspruchsbescheid With the Widerspruchsbescheid, the office decides on your Widerspruch.
Z
- Zustellung Zustellung means: an office or court delivers a letter to you in a way it can prove later.