Service content
Description of the
! CHANGE AS OF 01.05.2025 !
In accordance with the Act on Strengthening Security in Passport, ID and Foreigners' Documents of 3 December 2020, digital photographs must be used for applications for official documents since 1 May 2025 in order to prevent manipulated photographs from being introduced into the application process. Since 1 May 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 photograph 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 authorities to find out whether they have devices for taking photographs.
Since 2 May 2025, it has been possible, from the age of 18, to have German passports sent to your registered address in Germany for an additional fee of €15.00. This service is not available for express passports. The passport may only be handed over in person to the addressee. Further information on direct delivery is available from your passport office.
The electronic passport (ePassport) is an official photo ID for Germans that authorises them to cross the border of the Federal Republic of Germany. The holder of a valid German passport fulfils the statutory identification requirements, so that no identity card is 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 1 November 2007, fingerprints have also been included in the passport chip (from the age of six).
- Since 1 November 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 1 March 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, usually by the parent with whom the child usually resides alone) or carer
- Representation by an authorised 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 identity document (passport, identity card or child’s passport)
a recent biometric digital photograph (full-face view)
in the case of a first-time application (which may also include new residents) or where required, further documents are usually required, e.g. civil status certificates, citizenship certificates
for passport applicants under the age of 18:
where parents live together and share parental responsibility, the application may be made by one parent with the written consent of the other parent, in which case the passport authority must
verify the other parent’s signature where there is only one person with parental responsibility: proof of parental responsibility
Supporting documents for a provisional passport:
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 of expected first use
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 colour): 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 dispatch 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 instigation of the applicant.
- When issuing a passport (even before the age of 24), temporary passport or amendment of a passport, temporary passport, if this is done by a non-competent authority at the instigation of the applicant.
Legal basis
- § Section 1 Passport Act (PassG)
Compulsory passport
- § Section 5 Passport Act (PassG)
Period of validity
- § Section 6 Passport Act (PassG)
Issue of a passport
- § Section 19 Passport Act (PassG)
Responsibility
- § Section 8c Competence Ordinance (ZustV)
Responsibility of the municipalities for issuing passports/identity cards
- § Section 27 Passport Ordinance (PassV)
Fees
- § Section 1 Passport Act (PassG)
Further links
- Frequently asked questions and answers about passports
FAQ of the Federal Ministry of the Interior and for Home Affairs
- How and where do I apply for a passport?
- I need my passport very soon, what can I do?
- I need my passport immediately. What can I do?
- I would like to have my ID document sent to my home by post. How does this work and how much does it cost?
- Can I have my child's/my spouse's identity document sent to my home?
- Can I have my ID document sent to an address of my choice?
- BMI information on passports or ID cards
- Passport - General information
- Entry formalities in the countries you are travelling to - Travel information and safety advice from the Federal Foreign Office
- Apply for replacement documents
- Information on digital photographs from 01.05.2025
- Online appointment booking
Make an appointment quickly and easily at our residents' registration office!
- Frequently asked questions and answers about passports
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 until 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.