When the shareholders of a German limited company, a GmbH, want to change its articles of association, the decision needs three quarters of the votes cast. A notary must record it. The change must then be filed with the commercial register. Until it is entered there, it has no legal effect: Die Abänderung hat keine rechtliche Wirkung, bevor sie in das Handelsregister des Sitzes der Gesellschaft eingetragen ist. (The amendment has no legal effect before it is entered in the commercial register at the company’s seat.)