amtlich

Amtlich is a German adjective meaning officially issued or authorized by a public authority. It describes statements, actions, documents, or declarations that derive their authority from government agencies such as ministries, courts, registries, police, or notaries. The term signals authenticity, formal authority, and legal force; for example, an “amtliche Mitteilung” or an “amtliches Dokument.”

Etymology and grammar: Amtlich comes from Amt (office or agency) with the suffix -lich. It inflects like a normal adjective: “eine amtliche Mitteilung” (feminine), “ein amtliches Dokument” (neuter), “amtliche Bekanntmachung” (feminine). Predicatively, one can say “Es ist amtlich” to mean “It is official.” The phrase is common in legal, administrative, and bureaucratic language.

Usage and contexts: Amtlich is used for notices, confirmations, certificates, and verifications issued by authorities. Examples include “amtliche Bekanntmachung” (official announcement), “amtliche Beglaubigung” (official certification), and “amtlich bestätigte Ergebnisse.” It is typically contrasted with allgemeine or privat, and is distinct from “offiziell” (official in a general sense) and “öffentlich” (publicly accessible).

Nuance and related terms: Amtlich emphasizes the authority and enforceable status conferred by a public body. While closely related to “offiziell,” amtlich conveys a stronger sense of formal public authority. In everyday language, “amtlich” is common in government documents and legal contexts, whereas “offiziell” can appear in broader or less formal settings.

See also: Amt, Amtliche Bekanntmachung, amtliche Beglaubigung, offizielles Dokument.