Apply for a passport

In many countries outside the European Union (EU), you need a passport to enter the country. If you have German citizenship, you can apply for a German passport.

The German passport allows you to enter over 170 countries worldwide as a tourist without a visa. You need a passport if you want to travel to countries outside the European Union (EU). If you have German citizenship, you can apply for a German passport.

The passport

• is recognized both within the EU and outside the EU,
• has a chip and is
• and can be applied for by people of any age from birth.

Passport for children

Your child also needs a passport if you are planning to travel outside the EU.

Since January 1, 2024, passports for children are no longer issued. You can apply for a regular passport for your child.

Does your child still have a valid children's passport?

You can continue to use it until

• the validity expires
• the information no longer applies, with the exception of the height information
• the photo is no longer sufficient to clearly identify your child

Note: The children's passport is no longer recognized by all countries. Please check where your child's passport is recognized before you travel. Use the travel and security information from the Federal Foreign Office (AA).

Responsibilities

You can apply for a passport at the citizens' office in your place of residence. If you have more than one place of residence, the Citizens' Registration Office at your main place of residence is responsible.

If there is an important reason, you can also apply for your passport at an authority outside your place of residence. This may incur additional costs for you.

If you live abroad or your passport has been lost abroad, you can apply for your passport at the German representation abroad.

Please contact your local citizens' office (passport office of the city or municipality).

• Biometric digital passport photo: taken on site at the authority or by a registered domestic photo service provider (photographer). Different regulations may apply abroad and a paper passport photo may still be accepted.
• if available and not yet validated: Your previous
  • passport
  • temporary passport
  • identity card
  • Temporary identity card
  • Children's passport
• your birth certificate, if applicable
• for children or young people under the age of 18:
  • Identity documents of the custodial persons present
  • if applicable, a declaration of consent and a copy of the identity card of the custodial person not present
  • If applicable, proof of custody if there is only one person with custody
• If applicable, document with current name, for example
  • birth certificate, marriage certificate, marriage certificate
  • family register
  • Declaration on the use of the name
• Further documents may be required, for example
  • in the event of loss due to theft: police report

• You have German citizenship.
• You are present in person when you apply for your passport.
  • If you are applying for a passport for your child or someone you look after, they must also be present when you apply.
• for children under the age of 18:
  • You have custodial rights.
• There must be no grounds for refusing a passport. This includes, for example, the assumption that you are in danger of losing your passport by leaving the country.
  • criminal prosecution,
  • enforcement of a sentence or
  • to evade a statutory maintenance obligation.

You must apply for a passport in person on site:

• 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 the application.
• Your fingerprints will be taken. As a rule, these are the prints of your two index fingers.
  • Your fingerprints are only taken for storage in the passport chip and are stored until you collect your passport from the Citizens' Registration Office. After that, your fingerprints are deleted and are only stored on the chip in your passport.
  • Children under the age of 6 do not have to give a fingerprint
• A signature must be provided by children aged 10 and over; younger children are permitted to sign if they are able to write.
• Your Citizens' Registration Office will inform you when you can collect your passport. You can authorize another person of legal age in writing to collect your passport from the authority.
• Alternatively, you can pay a fee to have the ID document sent by post to your home address in Germany and handed over in person at the front door.

Your passport will lose its validity before the expiry date entered if

• the personal details entered no longer apply to you or
• your photograph is no longer clearly suitable for identification purposes. This may be the case in particular with passports for babies or very young children.

The costs apply from the age of 24. The fee (without surcharges) is doubled if: - the passport must be issued outside official office hours or - the application is not submitted to the local passport authority (municipality of the main residence).: Fee 70,00 EUR (The amount is to be paid in advance) (Information on cost composition can be found here)

The costs apply if you are under 24 years old. The fee (without surcharges) is doubled if: - the passport must be issued outside official office hours or - the application is not submitted to the local passport authority (municipality of the main residence).: Fee 37,50 EUR (The amount is to be paid in advance) (Information on cost composition can be found here)

The costs apply to passport applications in the express procedure (surcharge).: Fee 32,00 EUR (The amount is to be paid in advance) (Information on cost composition can be found here)

The costs are additional if you apply for a passport with 48 pages instead of 32 pages: Fee 22,00 EUR (The amount is to be paid in advance) (Information on cost composition can be found here)

Additional costs are incurred if you apply for a passport at a German mission abroad (embassy or consulate).: Fee 31,00 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 inländische Wohnadresse: Fee 15,00 EUR (The amount is to be paid in advance) (Information on cost composition can be found here)

As a rule, you can only have one valid passport issued. Under certain circumstances, however, you can also apply for a second passport. You must provide evidence of a reason for this.

You must be present in person when applying for the passport so that your identity can be verified. In case you cannot be present in person, only a temporary passport can be issued. The identity check must then be carried out when the document is issued, otherwise the temporary passport will not be handed over.
 

The temporary passport does not contain an electronic storage medium (chip).
 

In some countries – for example in the USA – a normal, electronic passport is required for visa-free entry.

If you want to enter these countries with a temporary passport, a visa is also required.