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Proc-Type: 2001,MIC-CLEAR
Originator-Name: webmaster@www.sec.gov
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MIC-Info: RSA-MD5,RSA,
 IVUvhWB3mN+GZYVxfrUBNFP1xnkbT4ldmuO7p/qZ0b3F79jxZ8jxiuIzWD2LmHul
 MeSjVztlKEacNjfRO6Ez4g==

<SEC-DOCUMENT>0001037428-05-000001.txt : 20050202
<SEC-HEADER>0001037428-05-000001.hdr.sgml : 20050202
<ACCEPTANCE-DATETIME>20050202110312
ACCESSION NUMBER:		0001037428-05-000001
CONFORMED SUBMISSION TYPE:	5
PUBLIC DOCUMENT COUNT:		1
CONFORMED PERIOD OF REPORT:	20041231
FILED AS OF DATE:		20050202
DATE AS OF CHANGE:		20050202

REPORTING-OWNER:	

	OWNER DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			SEGER LARRY J
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0001037428

	FILING VALUES:
		FORM TYPE:		5
		SEC ACT:		1934 Act
		SEC FILE NUMBER:	001-15877
		FILM NUMBER:		05567827

	BUSINESS ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		711 MAIN STREET BOX
		CITY:			JASPER
		STATE:			IN
		ZIP:			47546

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		LEGRE & BARNES
		STREET 2:		9100 KEYSTONE CROSSING SUITE 800
		CITY:			INDIANAPOLIS
		STATE:			IN
		ZIP:			46240

ISSUER:		

	COMPANY DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			GERMAN AMERICAN BANCORP
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0000714395
		STANDARD INDUSTRIAL CLASSIFICATION:	STATE COMMERCIAL BANKS [6022]
		IRS NUMBER:				351547518
		STATE OF INCORPORATION:			IN
		FISCAL YEAR END:			1231

	BUSINESS ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		711 MAIN ST
		STREET 2:		P O BOX 810
		CITY:			JASPER
		STATE:			IN
		ZIP:			47546
		BUSINESS PHONE:		8124821314

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		711 MAIN STREET
		CITY:			JASPER
		STATE:			IN
		ZIP:			47546

	FORMER COMPANY:	
		FORMER CONFORMED NAME:	GAB BANCORP
		DATE OF NAME CHANGE:	19950510
</SEC-HEADER>
<DOCUMENT>
<TYPE>5
<SEQUENCE>1
<FILENAME>edgar.xml
<DESCRIPTION>PRIMARY DOCUMENT
<TEXT>
<XML>
<?xml version="1.0"?>
<ownershipDocument>

    <schemaVersion>X0202</schemaVersion>

    <documentType>5</documentType>

    <periodOfReport>2004-12-31</periodOfReport>

    <form3HoldingsReported>0</form3HoldingsReported>

    <form4TransactionsReported>0</form4TransactionsReported>

    <issuer>
        <issuerCik>0000714395</issuerCik>
        <issuerName>GERMAN AMERICAN BANCORP</issuerName>
        <issuerTradingSymbol>GABC</issuerTradingSymbol>
    </issuer>

    <reportingOwner>
        <reportingOwnerId>
            <rptOwnerCik>0001037428</rptOwnerCik>
            <rptOwnerName>SEGER LARRY J</rptOwnerName>
        </reportingOwnerId>
        <reportingOwnerAddress>
            <rptOwnerStreet1>1376 WORRELL DRIVE</rptOwnerStreet1>
            <rptOwnerStreet2></rptOwnerStreet2>
            <rptOwnerCity>JASPER</rptOwnerCity>
            <rptOwnerState>IN</rptOwnerState>
            <rptOwnerZipCode>47546</rptOwnerZipCode>
            <rptOwnerStateDescription></rptOwnerStateDescription>
        </reportingOwnerAddress>
        <reportingOwnerRelationship>
            <isDirector>1</isDirector>
            <isOfficer>0</isOfficer>
            <isTenPercentOwner>0</isTenPercentOwner>
            <isOther>0</isOther>
        </reportingOwnerRelationship>
    </reportingOwner>

    <nonDerivativeTable>
        <nonDerivativeHolding>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>COMMON STOCK</value>
            </securityTitle>
            <postTransactionAmounts>
                <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
                    <value>81413</value>
                    <footnoteId id="F1"/>
                    <footnoteId id="F2"/>
                </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
            </postTransactionAmounts>
            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>D</value>
                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
                <natureOfOwnership>
                    <value></value>
                </natureOfOwnership>
            </ownershipNature>
        </nonDerivativeHolding>
    </nonDerivativeTable>

    <footnotes>
        <footnote id="F1">Includes shares acquired pursuant to German American Bancorp's Dividend Reinvestment Plan</footnote>
        <footnote id="F2">Column 5 includes 234 shares held by Mr. Seger as custodian for his children and 37,785 shares owned by certain corporations (or their retirement plans) of which Mr. Seger is an executive officer or shareholder.</footnote>
    </footnotes>

    <remarks></remarks>

    <ownerSignature>
        <signatureName>Larry J Seger</signatureName>
        <signatureDate>2005-01-31</signatureDate>
    </ownerSignature>
</ownershipDocument>

</XML>
</TEXT>
</DOCUMENT>
</SEC-DOCUMENT>
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