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

The passport

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

Passport for Children

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

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

Does your child still have a valid child passport?

You can continue to use it until

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

Note: The child’s passport is no longer recognized by all countries. Please check before your trip where your child’s passport is recognized. Use the travel and safety advice from the Federal Foreign Office (AA) for this purpose.

Responsibilities

You can apply for the passport at the Citizens’ Office in your place of residence. If you have multiple places of residence, the Citizens’ Office at your primary residence is responsible.

If there is a valid reason, you may also apply for your passport at an office outside your place of residence. This may result in additional costs for you.

If you live abroad or have lost your passport while abroad, you can apply for a passport at a German diplomatic mission abroad.

• You have German citizenship.
• You are present in person when applying for your passport.
  • If you are applying for a passport for your child or a person in your care, they must also be present when you submit the application.
• For children under the age of 18: 
  • You have legal custody.
• There must be no reasons for refusing a passport. This includes, for example, the assumption that you would be subject to criminal prosecution
  • criminal prosecution,
  • enforcement of a sentence, or
  • a legal maintenance obligation.

You must apply for a passport in person at the office:

• Make an appointment at your local civil affairs office.
• Bring all required documents with you to the appointment.
• The office staff will help you fill out the application on-site. You simply need to sign the application.
• Your fingerprints will be taken. This usually involves the prints of both your index fingers.
  • Your fingerprints are taken solely for storage on the passport’s chip and are stored at the local government office until you pick up your passport. After that, your fingerprints are deleted and remain only on the chip of your passport.
  • Children under 6 years of age do not need to provide fingerprints
• Children aged 10 and older must provide a signature; younger children may sign if they are literate.
• Your local government office will notify you when you can pick up your passport. You may authorize another adult in writing to pick up your passport at the office.
• Alternatively, you can have the identification document sent by mail to your domestic residential address for a fee and have it delivered personally to your front door.

As a rule, you can only have one valid passport issued. However, under certain circumstances, you can also apply for a second passport. To do so, you must provide evidence of a valid reason.

Your passport will expire before the expiration date listed on it if

• the personal information listed no longer applies to you, or
• your photograph is no longer clearly suitable for identification purposes. This can be the case in particular with passports for infants or very young children.

• Validity period: 6 years
  For applicants under 24 years of age
• Validity period: 10 years
  For applicants aged 24 and older

• 2 weeks
  Processing usually takes at least 2 weeks.

• Biometric digital passport photo: taken on-site at the government office 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 invalidated: your previous
  • passport
  • provisional passport
  • identity card
  • temporary ID card
  • child's passport
• Your birth certificate, if applicable
• For children or minors under 18 years of age: 
  • Identification documents of the legal guardians present
  • If applicable, a declaration of consent and a copy of the ID of the legal guardian who is not present
  • If applicable, proof of custody if there is only one custodial parent
• if applicable, a document showing your current name, for example
  • birth, marriage, or marriage certificate 
  • Family register
  • Declaration regarding the use of the name
• Additional documents may be required, for example
  • in case of loss due to theft: police report

• Fee: 37.50 EUR
  This fee applies if you are under 24 years of age. The fee (excluding surcharges) doubles if: - the passport must be issued outside of regular office hours, or - the application is not submitted to the local passport office responsible for your primary residence.
• Fee: 6.00 EUR
  Fee for a passport photo if the authority uses the PointID photo system from Bundesdruckerei GmbH. If the authority uses photo systems from other manufacturers, the fee may vary.
• Fee: 70.00 EUR
  These costs apply from the age of 24. The fee (excluding surcharges) doubles if: - the passport must be issued outside of regular office hours or - the application is not submitted to the local passport office responsible for your primary residence.
• Fee: 32.00 EUR
  Surcharge for passport applications via the express procedure.
• Fee: 31.00 EUR
  Surcharge if you apply for a passport at a German diplomatic mission abroad (embassy or consulate).
• Fee: 15.00 EUR
  fee for delivery to your domestic residential address
• Fee: 22.00 EUR
  surcharge for a 48-page passport instead of a 32-page passport

Cash/EC