Building application lost - What to do? Who pays the costs?

Dear forum,

I need to vent a little.
Building is not easy ... I know that. But it’s already starting off well.

Actually, I’m more looking for advice on how to handle such a situation properly. Or rather, if anyone has ever experienced a situation like this.

The building application was received on 13.08. I sent it by registered mail with return receipt. I have the return receipt as well.
Since I didn’t receive a confirmation of receipt, which is usually customary, I called the building authority.
They have no building application on file. Where it went ... they don’t know because they can only process what is actually there.

So I called the lady who signed the return receipt. She remembers and says she understood the documents had a receipt stamp and placed them in the pick-up box at the building authority.

I also spoke with the lady who then distributes the mail to the respective departments. Of course, she cannot remember our building application.

Since nobody else can give me information and the matter likely won’t resolve itself by "waiting," I filled out the complaint form on the website today. Still waiting for a response.

I was also told ... in the worst case, I should just send it again.
Our architect is a nice guy. But not a Samaritan either and probably won’t do it for free. And he’s not wrong, he can’t do anything about it either.

Did I overlook something? How would the costs for the architect be settled? Do I even have a "joker" in hand by sending it registered with return receipt?

It’s frustrating that usually they approve a building application within two weeks. I know for some here that might be a dream. But in this building area, all our future neighbors had really good luck to receive the building permit within this timeframe, give or take a few days.

Maybe someone has had the same situation.
I thank you in advance.

Just send it there again. The investigation doesn't do any good anyway. The architect will handle it. If not, you just pay. It's stupid, especially at the beginning, but you don't need to worry about such peanuts. You definitely won't get your money back by arguing.

Your architect already has the documents ready and can simply reprint them, or did he fill them out by hand? I also believe that investigations are unnecessary. Our architect personally brought them over; I would recommend that to you next time as well.

But that doesn’t help either if it then gets lost within the office.

A person responsible is known, then it can be handed directly to them, so nothing gets lost.

So this is annoying and shouldn't happen. But it's also not a big problem. Your architect will not charge more for this, don't worry.