reference number
Loading your saved state.
reference number
A unique identifier made up of letters and/or numbers that is used by authorities, courts, or companies to identify a specific process, case, or file.
Bitte geben Sie bei jeder Korrespondenz das Aktenzeichen an.
Please include the reference number in all correspondence.
The word is composed of 'die Akte' (the file; plural: die Akten) and 'das Zeichen' (the sign/mark). So it is literally a 'sign for a file' that serves for identification.
Jeder Brief von der Behörde hat ein eigenes Aktenzeichen.
Every letter from the authority has its own reference number.
In practice, you are often asked to 'ein Aktenzeichen angeben' (provide a reference number) or 'ein Aktenzeichen nennen' (state a reference number). Authorities 'führen' (manage/keep) a process 'unter' (under) a specific reference number.
Bitte geben Sie bei Ihrer Antwort immer das Aktenzeichen an.
Please always include the reference number in your reply.
This word is firmly part of the language of authorities, government offices, courts, and large companies. In normal everyday life without contact with such institutions, you rarely need it.
Auf dem Steuerbescheid finden Sie das Aktenzeichen oben rechts.
You will find the reference number at the top right of the tax assessment notice.
identifier / signal
'das Aktenzeichen' and 'die Kennung' are both identifiers or codes that allow you to clearly find or assign something. 'Aktenzeichen' is used mainly with authorities, courts, insurance companies, or businesses when referring to a case, process, or file. 'Kennung' is more suited to technical systems, users, devices, or data records. They can be confused because both can look like numbers or codes. In practice: in letters from authorities, you ask for the 'Aktenzeichen' (reference number); when logging in or working in a system, you are more likely to need the 'Kennung' (identifier).
Bitte geben Sie im Schreiben immer das Aktenzeichen an.
Please always include the reference number in your letter.
In der E-Mail steht die Kennung, mit der sie sich im System anmelden kann.
The email contains the identifier she can use to log in to the system.