Document background
The Companies Memorandum of Association (Gesellschaftsvertrag) is a mandatory document required for establishing any company in Germany. This crucial document must be executed when founding a new company or restructuring an existing one, and it requires notarization by a German notary public. The memorandum contains all essential information about the company, including its name, purpose, registered office, share capital, shareholder details, and management structure. It must comply with strict requirements under German law, particularly the GmbH Act or Stock Corporation Act, depending on the company type. The document serves as the primary reference point for corporate governance matters and shareholder relationships throughout the company's lifetime. Any subsequent modifications to the memorandum must also be notarized and registered with the commercial register (Handelsregister).
