Passport; application

Status query ID card

  • Brief description

    The passport or temporary passport is an official identification document for Germans, which is generally required for entry into or departure from the Federal Republic of Germany and can be applied for at the responsible municipality.

  • Description

    ! CHANGE AS OF 01.05.2025 !

    In accordance with the Act to Strengthen Security in Passport, ID and Alien Law Documents of December 3, 2020, digital photographs must be used for applications for official documents since May 1, 2025 in order to prevent manipulated photographs from being introduced into the application process. Since May 1, 2025, the photograph can either continue to be taken by the photographer, who must upload the photograph to a secure cloud. You will receive a printout of a data matrix code (similar to a QR code), which the authority can use to find and download your photo in the cloud. Alternatively, the passport authority can offer to take photos electronically on site at the authority and transfer them to the application process without media discontinuity. Please contact the authority to find out whether it has devices for taking photographs.

    Since May 2, 2025, it has been possible to have requested German passports sent to the domestic registration address for an additional fee of €15.00 from the 18th birthday. This service is not available for express passports. The consignment may only be handed over to the addressee in person. Further information on direct delivery can be obtained from your passport authority.

    The electronic passport (ePassport) is an official photo ID for Germans that entitles them to cross the border of the Federal Republic of Germany. The holder of a valid German passport satisfies the statutory identification requirement, meaning that an identity card is not required.

    The period of validity of the passport depends on the age of the applicant, whereby an extension of the validity is not possible:

    • before the age of 24 6 years
    • 10 years from the age of 24
    • Temporary passport: maximum 1 year

    Notes:

    • Since November 1, 2007, fingerprints have also been included in the passport chip (from the age of six).
    • Since November 1, 2010, the names of religious orders and artists have once again been included in passports.
    • No person may hold several passports of the Federal Republic of Germany unless a legitimate interest in the issue of several passports is proven.
    • A temporary passport can only be issued in justified, time-limited individual cases if it is not (or no longer) possible to issue a passport using the express procedure (see also under "Processing time").
    • Since 01.03.2017, the third-generation passport has been issued with new security features and materials.

    Responsibility

    The municipality in which you are registered for your residence, or your main residence if you have more than one residence, is responsible for issuing the passport.

    The Federal Foreign Office and the German diplomatic missions abroad designated by it are the competent passport authorities for passport matters abroad.

    With the consent of the passport authority abroad, passport applications from Germans living abroad can be accepted and processed by passport authorities in Germany if an important reason is presented (e.g. if the journey to the competent passport authority is considerably further than to the passport authority without jurisdiction)."

  • Prerequisites

    • German within the meaning of Article 116 (1) of the Basic Law
    • Submission of a formal application to the relevant municipality by the passport applicant or legal representative (e.g. in the case of joint custody by both parents, if they are not only temporarily separated, generally by the parent with whom the child usually resides alone) or guardian
    • Representation by an authorized representative is not permitted
    • To check their identity, passport applicants (including minors) must always appear in person at the passport authority.

  • Required documents

    Previous official identification document (passport, identity card or children's passport)

    Current biometric digital photograph (frontal view)

    When first issued (this may also include new arrivals) or on specific occasions, generally additional documents, e.g. Civil status certificates, citizenship certificates

    for passport applicants under the age of 18:

    for parents living together who have joint parental responsibility, the application can be made by one parent with the written consent of the other parent, whereby the signature of the other parent should be checked by the passport authority

    for only one legal guardian: proof of custody

    Evidence for temporary passports:

    When issuing a temporary passport, the passport authorities may require the submission of appropriate evidence to demonstrate that a passport is needed immediately and that it will not be possible to issue a passport using the express procedure until the date on which it is expected to be used for the first time

  • Forms

  • Costs

    • before the age of 24: EUR 37.50
    • from the age of 24: EUR 70.00
    • temporary passport: 26,00 EUR
    • Increase in fees by EUR 6.00 if the photo was taken by the passport authority
    • Change of passport/temporary passport (only size and/or eye color): EUR 6.00 (change of residence free of charge)
    • Surcharge for an express passport: EUR 32.00
    • Surcharge for a passport with 48 pages: EUR 22.00
    • Direct mailing of a passport: EUR 15.00

    Doubling of fees:

    • When issuing a temporary passport or changing a passport, temporary passport, if this is done outside official office hours at the request of the applicant.
    • When issuing a passport (even before the age of 24), temporary passport or change to a passport, temporary passport, if this is done by an incompetent authority at the instigation of the applicant.

  • Legal basis

  • Further links

  • Procedure

    After applying for a passport, Bundesdruckerei GmbH is commissioned by the passport authority to issue the passport.

    You will be informed as soon as the document is ready for collection. Some municipalities provide an online service for information on the processing status instead. You will receive more information when you apply.

  • Processing time

    According to the Federal Ministry of the Interior, Building and Community, it usually takes at least two weeks from the date of application before you can collect your passport from the Citizens' Office. In some cases, however, it can take several weeks. Please ensure that you have a valid passport and apply for your passport in good time. You can obtain more information from your local passport office.

    In urgent and emergency cases, passports can be issued using the express procedure: If the express application is received by Bundesdruckerei GmbH by 12:00 noon, the passport is usually ready for collection from the passport authority on the following third working day (Monday to Friday, excluding public holidays).

    Temporary passport: can be issued and handed over immediately.

     


Responsible departments