Apply for a second passport

If you can prove a legitimate interest, you can obtain a second passport.

As a rule, no one may hold more than one valid German passport. An exception is if you can prove that you have a legitimate interest in a second passport.

A legitimate interest exists, for example, if you

• want to travel to a country that is likely to refuse you entry because your passport shows that you have stayed in certain other countries.
• work for an airline or a shipping line.

Whether your reasons are considered sufficient is at the discretion of the passport authority.

The following reasons are not sufficient:

• general desire
• frequent trips abroad
• the mere possibility that you will need a second passport in the indefinite future, for example for a planned trip around the world

If you already had a second passport, you must provide evidence of justified reasons each time you apply for a new one.

If your passport is already fully stamped with endorsements before it expires and you are planning further trips, you must apply for a new passport.

The competent authority for issuing a second passport is the passport authority (mayor) or the citizens' office of your place of residence.

Please contact the citizens' office of your place of residence, which performs the tasks of the passport authority.

• Previous passport or identity card
• Biometric digital passport photo: taken on site at the authority or by a registered domestic photo service provider (photographer)
• Proof of your legitimate interest, for example:
  • written confirmation from the employer
  • Booking confirmations
  • flight tickets
• You may need to submit further documents, such as civil status certificates.
• If you wish to be represented at the pick-up, the representative will need the following documents
  • their own identification document, i.e.
    • identity card
    • passport or
    • provisional versions
  • Power of attorney

• You have a legitimate interest in having a second valid passport. This applies, for example, in the following cases:
  • You travel a lot for professional reasons and need a second passport due to the procurement of visas, because you have planned and want to make further trips to countries requiring a passport at the same time as applying for a visa.
  • You would like to travel to a country where you are likely to be refused entry because your passport contains entry stamps from certain other countries.
  • You belong to certain groups of people:
    • the flying personnel of air carriers
    • the seafaring personnel of shipping companies
    • members of the civilian entourage and members of the NATO force status whose passport contains a status certificate

You must apply for your second passport in person.

• Make an appointment at your local citizens' office.
• Bring all the necessary documents with you to the appointment.
• The official staff will fill out the application with you on site. All you have to do is sign it.
• The submission of fingerprints for storage in the document is required by law for your application.
  • A flat print is usually taken of the left and right index finger.
  • Children under the age of 6 do not have to give a fingerprint.
• For minors (under the age of 18), the second passport application must usually be submitted by all parents who have custody.
• You will receive information from your Citizens' Registration Office about when you can collect your second passport.
• You can arrange a collection date online, by e-mail or by telephone at many citizens' offices. Alternatively, in many cases you can have the ID document sent to your home address by post and handed over in person at the front door.
• You can authorize another person of legal age in writing to collect the document.

The fees are doubled if you apply for the second passport outside of official office hours or at a passport authority that is not locally responsible.

A fee reduction or exemption is possible under certain conditions.

Reissue of the passport with 32 pages for persons aged 24 and over.: Fee 70,00 EUR (The amount is to be paid in advance) (Information on cost composition can be found here)

Reissue of the passport with 48 pages for persons aged 24 and over.: Fee 92,00 EUR (The amount is to be paid in advance) (Information on cost composition can be found here)

Reissue of the passport with 32 pages for persons under 24 years of age.: Fee 37,50 EUR (The amount is to be paid in advance) (Information on cost composition can be found here)

Reissue of the passport with 48 pages for persons under 24 years of age.: Fee 59,50 EUR (The amount is to be paid in advance) (Information on cost composition can be found here)

Gebühr für Passfoto, wenn die Behörde das Lichtbildsystem PointID der Bundesdruckerei GmbH verwendet. Verwendet die Behörde Lichtbildsysteme anderer Hersteller, darf das Entgelt abweichen.: Fee 6,00 EUR (The amount is to be paid in advance) (Information on cost composition can be found here)

Gebühr bei Versand an Ihre Wohnadresse: Fee 15,00 EUR (The amount is to be paid in advance) (Information on cost composition can be found here)

zusätzliche Gebühr für einen zweiten Reisepass im Expressverfahren: Fee 32,00 EUR (The amount is to be paid in advance) (Information on cost composition can be found here)

Gebühr für einen vorläufigen zweiten Reisepass: Fee 26,00 EUR (The amount is to be paid in advance) (Information on cost composition can be found here)

Express passport and temporary passport:

Is the regular processing time too long for your travel plans? Then your passport authority can issue you a second passport using the express procedure. Passports applied for using the express procedure are usually ready for collection from the authority after 3 to 4 working days.

Only if you are unable to obtain the second passport in time using the express procedure will you be issued with a provisional second passport. You will receive this immediately when you apply, so you do not have to wait for it.