Considerations for Depositions at the U.S. Consulate in Frankfurt

As covered by previous blogs, depositions in Germany may be taken only at the U.S. Consulate General in Frankfurt, upon approval from the German Ministry of Justice. Once the depositions have been approved and successfully scheduled, there are some additional points to remember. Outlined below are important details to ensure prompt entry to the U.S. Consulate General for your depositions.

1. The Consulate lists deposition operating hours online (currently Monday through Friday, 9 am to 4 pm). It is closed on German and American holidays, as well as the last Thursday of every month.
2. A valid photo ID is required (passport or German Ausweis) to gain admittance to the building.
3. All participants must submit to a bag search and pass through a metal detector.
4. Each individual who will take an oath must bring a second valid, government-issued photo ID for the administration of oaths (this includes witnesses, court reporters, interpreters, and videographers).
5. Deposition participants should use the Consulate employee entrance (Wetzlarer Straße) rather than the main entrance (Gießener Straße).
6. Deposition participants must notify the guard that they are there for a deposition and ask that Special Consular Services be notified of their arrival.
7. A list of deposition participants and their electronic equipment must be submitted for Consulate approval no fewer than 3 business days prior to the deposition.
8. No electronic equipment (with the exception of approved equipment as outlined above) is permitted in the Consulate, including cell phones.
9. No equipment may be left in the building overnight. Therefore the reporter and videographer must be allowed ample time to set up and break down their equipment each day; keep this in mind when scheduling the deposition(s).

Germans are renowned for their efficiency, so expect the process of entering the Consulate General for depositions to be swift, so long as you remember what you need to bring and where to go! While in Frankfurt, don’t forget to visit the Main Tower to take in the stunning view of the city. There is also plenty of good shopping, food, and of course, beer to be sampled while in Frankfurt.

Planet Depos has been covering depositions in Germany and all over Europe for over a decade, with reporters and videographers living throughout the continent. For more information or to schedule, contact Planet Depos International Scheduling Department at 888.433.3767 or international@planetdepos.com.