(CNN) What's your first and last name? Your education and work experience? Do you have recommendations? 
 
 And are you willing to be a suicide attacker or would you prefer to be a fighter for ISIS 
 
 Those were among the questions purportedly posed to would-be jihadis on what appears to be a kind of job application for the terror group. 
 
 Germany's intelligence agency, a Syrian newspaper and other news organizations, including Britain's Sky News, obtained batches of leaked ISIS documents , which CNN could not authenticate and which seemingly could be replicated easily on many computers. 
 
 Germany's interior minister said he believes data in the documents -- described by European media as the names and personal data of tens of thousands of possible ISIS recruits -- could allow authorities to prosecute people who joined ISIS and then returned to their home countries. 
 
 While some responses to questions in the purported leaked documents are mundane, others make it obvious they're not part of just any application profile or database. 
 
 Take, for instance, one applicant's request to be a suicide attacker. He wants to be dispatched as soon as possible, to take his life and that of others, "as I have a headache because (of) shrapnel in my head." 
 
 A well-traveled Australian with a computer degree is also willing to go on a suicide mission. But he worries his night vision might be a hurdle. Plus, he doesn't know how to drive manual transmission vehicles. 
 
 Then there's a French national, born in 1989. Answering which relatives to contact if he's killed, the man said, "If they did not hear from him, they would know that he is dead." 
 
 Questions include 'level of obedience' 
 
 The forms are tied to one of the world's most reviled, barbaric, ruthless terrorist organizations. But they're also a function of bureaucracy. 
 
 Zaman Al-Wasl, a newspaper supportive of forces fighting against both Syrian President Bashar al-Assad's troops and terror groups such as ISIS, published 122 pages of documents it said came from an ISIS defector. These 122 documents, out of more than 1,700 overall reportedly obtained by the same publication, only pertain to self-identifying suicide attackers. 
 
 German intelligence officials said they, too, have similar if not identical documents, though they didn't detail how they got them. 
 
 While they include lines to be filled out later -- such as the site and time of a person's death -- the content mostly consists of questions and answers posed at a border crossing into territory controlled by the so-called Islamic State, according to Zaman Al-Wasl. 
 
 A black ISIS flag is neatly stamped on the right corner. At the top left corner is the terror group's version of a border entry stamp. The Arabic script is typed up, neatly arranged in rows and columns, with "private" stamped at the bottom. 
 
 The words include answers to simple questions such as the would-be militant's birth date, blood type, address, marital status and countries visited. 
 
 Others are slightly more specific and speak to the organization they want to join -- such as the person's religiosity (or "Sharia level"), jihad experience and "level of obedience." 
 
 German official: Documents likely 'genuine' 
 
 The dates of the border entry stamps suggest the documents published by Zaman Al-Wasl date back to no earlier than 2013. 
 
 That means the people questioned could have gone into ISIS-controlled territory, have been turned away or perhaps fought for the terror group in Syria and Iraq and then perhaps left. If they aren't in the war zone, one fear is that they may bring their ISIS approach, tactics and mindset elsewhere -- perhaps proving a threat to other countries. 
 
 The documents suggest the recruits came from many places including Afghanistan, France, Germany, Libya, Spain, Tunisia and Uzbekistan as well as Syria. 
 
 Markus Koths, a spokesman for the German Federal Criminal Police, said the documents appear to be authentic. 
 
 The alleged ISIS forms contain specific information about recruits from around the world. 
 
 "We believe that it is very likely these are genuine documents," Koths said. "We are taking these into consideration of our law enforcement measures and security. " 
 
 Also addressing the documents, British Home Secretary Theresa May said the "severe threat" posed by ISIS underscores the importance of countries sharing information and taking other steps against the group. 
 
 "We have seen the attacks perpetrated on mainland Europe over the past year," May said, referring to terrorism in Paris and elsewhere. "That is why it is so important for us to work together to counter this threat." 
 
 Form has 23 items 
 
 The form featuring 23 questions and other items is short and to the point, delving into the recruits' background and way of life. Here's the information asked of each applicant: 
 
 -- First and last name 
 
 -- Assumed name 
 
 -- Mother's name 
 
 -- Blood type 
 
 -- Date of birth/ nationality 
 
 -- Marital status 
 
 -- Address and place of birth 
 
 -- Education 
 
 -- Sharia (or religious) level 
 
 -- Previous job 
 
 -- Countries visited 
 
 -- Point of border entry 
 
 -- Date of entry 
 
 -- Who recommended you 
 
 -- Previous jihad experience 
 
 -- Fighter or suicide attacker 
 
 -- Field of specialty 
 
 -- Current working place 
 
 -- Personal properties left behind 
 
 -- The level of obedience 
 
 -- Address for future communication 
 
 -- Date of death and place 
 
 -- Notes ||||| Breaking News Emails Get breaking news alerts and special reports. The news and stories that matter, delivered weekday mornings. 
 
 / Updated By Ammar Cheikh Omar, Richard Engel and Ben Plesser 
 
 The 23-question form looks like a standard job application — save for the black ISIS logo in the top right corner. 
 
 Thousands of documents apparently leaked from inside ISIS paint a detailed picture of the terror group's personnel, including a 20-year-old from Minneapolis with just a high-school education. 
 
 NBC News was among several media organizations to obtain a trove of recruitment forms from a man who claims to be a disillusioned ISIS fighter who recently defected. 
 
 Part of one of the leaked ISIS documents. Alongside an ISIS logo, it reads: "IN THE NAME OF ALLAH THE MOST GRACIOUS MOST MERCIFUL, THE ISLAMIC STATE IN IRAQ AND THE LEVANT, GENERAL BORDER ADMINISTRATION, MUJAHID DATA." NBC News / NBC News 
 
 The questions start off mundane — name, nickname, date of birth, education — and then shift to the more sinister. 
 
 Fields ask about previous fighting experience, blood type, special skills, level of obedience and whether the applicant is interested in fighting or becoming a suicide attacker. 
 
 The forms also ask for "countries traveled" to clarify the route to ISIS' caliphate and who can vouch for the recruit. 
 
 More than 22,000 jihadis are named in the files and some 51 nationalities represented, according to Britain's Sky News. The broadcaster — which also obtained and reviewed the documents — said many of the names were already "well-known" jihadis, such Londoner Abdel Bary. Other forms bore the names of jihadis known to have died on the battlefield, like former ISIS media-wing head Junaid Hussain. 
 
 German intelligence officials are reviewing the files, according to local media there. 
 
 Related: American Dies Fighting for ISIS in Syria 
 
 Federal police believe "that the documents are authentic," German Interior Minister Thomas de Maiziere said in an emailed statement noting the potential intelligence value of the trove. 
 
 A man who claims to be a disillusioned ISIS fighter who recently defected meets with NBC News' Chief Foreign Correspondent Richard Engel near Turkey's border with Syria on Wednesday. NBC News 
 
 "They provide a great chance for the procedure of furnishing proof and the participation also of Germans in terror activities," he said. "With this, we also better understand the structures of this terror organization and it will possibly function as a deterrent for some young radical people." 
 
 The cache could offer critical information to intelligence agencies — from routes taken by foreign fighters to previously-unknown recruits and recruiters. 
 
 The leak and its origin deal a blow ISIS itself, too, signaling weakness at a time when the organization has been coming under increasing pressure. 
 
 Related: Foreign Fighters Are Still Flocking to ISIS 
 
 Defense officials in recent weeks captured an ISIS official who has reportedly offered valuable information on the group's chemical weapons and operations while under interrogation. 
 
 U.S. airstrikes have been pounding ISIS weapons depots and an airstrike also is believed to have killed a top ISIS commander known as "Omar the Chechen" in Syria last week. ||||| Media playback is unsupported on your device Media caption Gordon Corera: A unique insight into IS 
 
 Germany's interior minister has said stolen files detailing hundreds of recruits to the Islamic State militant group can be assumed to be genuine. 
 
 Thomas de Maiziere said the information could help with prosecutions of IS fighters, and help prevent future recruitment to the militant group. 
 
 Files obtained by German, UK and Syrian opposition media are said to identify IS recruits from at least 40 countries. 
 
 Some 22,000 names appear to be listed but most may be duplicates. 
 
 Names, addresses, phone numbers and skill sets are listed on official-looking forms. 
 
 Files were published online (documents in Arabic) by Zaman Al-Wasl, a Qatari-based Syrian news website: 
 
 Two of those listed, Kerim Marc B and Abdelkarim B, are currently on trial separately in Germany, while another two Germans on the list, Farid Saal Yassin Oussaiffi, have appeared in IS videos 
 
 Dutch media identified Abu Jihad al-Hollandi as Amsterdam teenager Achraf Bouamran, killed in a US air strike on the Syrian IS stronghold of Raqqa in January 2015. His file reads: "Born 1997. Moroccan origin. Wants to be a fighter" 
 
 Sixteen Britons including two killed in air strikes in Syria, Junaid Hussain and Reyaad Khan, also reportedly feature in the files 
 
 One file refers to a German recruit who used to be "in sales" and now "wants to be a suicide bomber", while another would-be suicide bomber (nationality not given) formerly worked as a "tobacconist in a restaurant". 
 
 Another mentions an Australian who was willing to "martyr" himself, but the document expressed concerns over his night vision, and inability to drive a car with manual gear change, CNN reports. 
 
 Image copyright EPA Image caption Kerim B (face covered) was on trial this month in the German city of Duesseldorf 
 
 Image copyright unknown Image caption Junaid Hussain was killed in an air strike 
 
 Image copyright YouTube Image caption Reyaad Khan was also killed in Syria 
 
 Counter-terrorism police in Germany are studying the documents. 
 
 "The German Federal Bureau of Investigation acts on the assumption that the documents are authentic," Mr de Maiziere said. 
 
 "We can also improve our understanding of the structures of this terror organisation," he added. "And possibly, it will discourage young, radicalised people, who believe they are doing something good if they become a member of a criminal organisation." 
 
 His counterpart in the UK, Home Secretary Theresa May, said she could not comment on "specific national security matters". 
 
 IS "poses a severe threat... it is important for us to work together to counter this threat", she added. 
 
 'Stolen memory stick' 
 
 Sky News said the files contained 22,000 names, addresses, telephone numbers and family contacts of jihadists. 
 
 It said the documents came from a man called Abu Hamed, an IS fighter who said he had become disillusioned with the group's leadership and stolen a memory stick from the head of the IS internal security force before handing it over in Turkey. 
 
 Stefan Kornelius, foreign editor of Germany's Sueddeutsche Zeitung newspaper, told the BBC the paper had obtained the documents from a "trusted source". 
 
 "It gives some proof on the state of Isis [IS] right now, since many of those members and those being close to the terrorist group are trying to make money, quite honestly, because obviously the Isis is in a desperate financial state," he said. 
 
 Snapshot of jihad: Analysis by Gordon Corera, BBC security correspondent 
 
 Image copyright AP 
 
 What appears to be a personnel database for the group could be of real intelligence value for Western security services - if it proves authentic. 
 
 The data looks to be a snapshot from late 2013 or early 2014, so will not be current but still could have its uses. It would help the authorities check that they had not missed anyone who had travelled to join IS. 
 
 The section saying who had recommended an applicant and how they had travelled out could also be useful in tracing networks and connections. 
 
 British authorities will not comment on whether they have the database but the Germans (who also seem to have received it from a media organisation in their country) are also suggesting it could be useful as evidence in prosecuting those who return. 
 
 Some of the papers are stamped Islamic State in Iraq and the Levant, which pre-dates the rebranding to Islamic State in June 2014. 
 
 Analysts say IS is known to be bureaucratic, so such lists may not be surprising. 
 
 Zaman Al-Wasl published the details of 1,736 IS members, based on leaked data it first reported in January. 
 
 It said the files contained 22,000 names but most had turned out to be duplicates. It was not immediately clear if the website's data matched the files obtained by German and UK media. 
 
 Islamic State documents 1,700 files obtained by Syrian opposition website Zaman al Wasl. If authentic, they suggest: 40 countries from where IS recruited jihadists, including Russia and Iran 
 
 72% of the fighters are Arab 
 
 Main nationalities: Saudi Arabian, Tunisian, Moroccan, Egyptian 
 
 25% are Saudi Arabians AFP 
 
 Shashank Joshi, a senior research fellow at the Royal United Services Institute think-tank, told the Press Association the papers could be "incredibly important". 
 
 He said: "It is a law enforcement gold mine. It means it might make it easier to prosecute those who have returned." 
 
 IS, a fundamentalist Sunni Muslim group, is notorious for its brutal methods in gaining territory in Iraq and Syria. 
 
 It claimed a number of devastating gun and bomb attacks outside the region in 2015, notably the attacks on Paris and downing of a Russian airliner over Egypt. 
 
 Are the documents genuine? Analysis by BBC Monitoring jihadist media expert 
 
 Image copyright Reuters 
 
 Some analysts have raised questions about the authenticity of the documents, noting inconsistencies in language and other oddities in the recruitment questionnaires such as: 
 
 The old name for IS - Islamic State in Iraq and the Levant (Isil) - is rendered in two slightly different ways on the documents 
 
 An unusual logo is used at the bottom saying "Islamic State is here to stay" 
 
 The questionnaire has a section for recording when and where a fighter was "killed" rather than "martyred" - jihadists' preferred terminology 
 
 But none of that is conclusive. The documents were clearly not intended for public consumption, so those who drafted the questionnaire may not have paid as much attention to detail as for public documents. 
 
 And they should be compared not with IS documents of today, but of around two years ago, when they appear to originate - before the group's rapid land grab across northern Iraq and Syria, when its bureaucracy and administrative capabilities were less well developed.
– It seems applying to join ISIS isn't so different from applying to be a Subway sandwich artist. NBC News reports thousands of what appear to be ISIS recruiting forms were leaked to various news agencies by a "disillusioned" member of the terror organization. CNN has the full list of 23 questions from the forms. Those questions include normal job application queries (education level, current employer, and recommendations) as well as some questions not likely to be asked by your local HR department—religious level, previous jihad experience, obedience level, and preference for becoming a fighter or suicide attacker. Of more use to intelligence agencies around the world, the leaked documents include the names, addresses, phone numbers, and travel routes of ISIS members, Sky News reports. The names not already known by officials include ISIS members in the Middle East and beyond, including the US and Canada. Officials believe this information could be key in preventing future terror attacks. The documents, which include a file marked "martyrs," also shed light on the mindset of people hoping to become suicide attackers. One applicant wrote he was interested in a suicide mission because "I have a headache because (of) shrapnel in my head." An Australian man was also interested in becoming a suicide attacker but worried about his poor night vision and inability to drive stick.