Renew a Jagdschein in Nordrhein-Westfalen

Responsibility

Untere Jagdbehörde (district or city administration)

Prepare the application early: Submit the renewal application from around December of the previous year if possible, as the reliability check by the weapons authority can take up to 6 W weeks. Obtain all required documents (application form, identity card, existing Jagdschein, proof of insurance).
Submit the application: Submit the application to the Untere Jagdbehörde for your main place of residence – in person, by post/email or via the municipal service portal (depending on what your municipality offers).
Wait for the reliability check: The Untere Jagdbehörde forwards the reliability check to the weapons authority of the Kreispolizeibehörde. Due to the Sicherheits- und Asylgesetz 2024, longer processing times may occur.
Collect the Jagdschein in person: Once the checks are complete, collect the renewed Jagdschein in person from the Untere Jagdbehörde and pay the administrative fee.

Identity card or passport (as a copy or photo)
Completed application form from the Untere Jagdbehörde
Existing Jagdschein in the original (for renewal in the existing Jagdschein booklet; to be submitted by post)
Proof of a valid hunting liability insurance policy (insurance policy; may be submitted later if necessary)
Passport photo (only if no further renewals can be entered, in case of conversion or reissue)
Proof of participation in a practice shoot (only for repeat applications, if required)

Varies depending on the authority

Report the loss to the Untere Jagdbehörde: Contact the Untere Jagdbehörde for your main place of residence and report the loss of the Jagdschein. Ask about the exact procedure for issuing a replacement Jagdschein.
Submit the required documents: Submit the application for a replacement Jagdschein to the authority together with your identity card or passport and proof of hunting liability insurance.
Collect the replacement Jagdschein: After processing by the Untere Jagdbehörde, you will receive the replacement Jagdschein; personal collection is generally required.

A Jugendjagdschein is available for people from 16 up to under 18 Jahre.
The Jugendjagdschein only entitles the holder to hunt when accompanied by the legal guardian or a hunting-experienced supervisor appointed by them.
For minors, written consent from the legal guardians is required for admission to the Jägerprüfung.

If you do not have German citizenship, an Ausländerjagdschein (annual or day Jagdschein) may be an option.
NRW also permits the issuing of an Ausländerjagdschein without a German Jägerprüfung if sufficient knowledge of hunting can be assumed; administrative regulations set out criteria (proof of a foreign Jagdschein/hunting examination).
For a day Jagdschein or Falknertagesjagdschein, a hunting invitation and the Jagdschein from the competent authority for your main place of residence abroad must be presented.
The day Jagdschein is valid for a maximum of 14 consecutive days and in NRW is particularly relevant for foreign hunters.