apply for a passport

You must apply for a passport in person at one of the BürgerServiceCenters.

• Make an appointment online or by telephone or come to the open consultation hours. Please note the opening hours.
• You appear in person and apply for a passport.
• Bring all the necessary documents with you.
• The official staff will fill out the application with you on site. All you have to do is sign the application.
• Fingerprints must be taken and stored in your passport.
• You will receive a collection slip with which you can collect your passport.
• You pay the fees.
• You can view the current processing status of your passport online.
  
  • To do this, follow the online service "Status query processing of ID documents" and enter the serial number of the document you are applying for.
    
    • You will find the serial number on the collection slip issued when you submit your application.
• As soon as your passport is ready for collection, collect it from the office where you applied for it.
  
  • You can find all information about collecting your passport under "Further information" - "Collecting your ID card/passport/eID card".
• If you wish, you can have your new passport delivered directly to your home for a fee.
  
  • All requirements and further information can be found under "Further information" - "Direct delivery information sheet"

More information

• German citizens need a visa to enter the USA or Canada without a visa:
  
  • a regular (machine-readable bordeaux red) passport
  • and additionally an electronic entry permit.
    
    • This can be applied for via the electronic travel authorization systems of the USA or Canada.
      
      • The links to the respective travel authorization systems can be found under "Further information".
• As a rule, you can only have one passport issued. Under certain circumstances, however, you can also apply for a second passport. You must provide evidence of a reason for this.

• Proof of identity
  
  • For example, an identity card or an old or invalid passport.
• 1 QR code to retrieve a digital passport photo or take your photo directly at the BürgerServiceCenter
  
  • Please arrive 15 minutes before your appointment. 
• Certificate with current name, if applicable
  

  For example:
  

  • Birth certificate, marriage certificate, marriage certificate.
  • Family register.
  • Declaration of name.
• Further documents may be required, for example
  
  • in the event of loss due to theft: police report.

• Status query Processing of ID documents
  

70,00 EUR for persons aged 24 and over.
37,50 EUR for persons under 24 years of age.
32,00 EUR additionally for the issue in the express procedure.
22,00 EUR additionally for the 48-page pass.
6,00 EUR Photo costs (if no photo is transmitted by the photographer via a QR code brought along).
15,00 EUR additionally when using the direct shipping option.

What deadlines must be paid attention to?

6 years Valid for applicants under 24 years of age.
10 years Years of validity for applicants aged 24 and over.
The passport loses its validity earlier if
- the personal details entered are no longer correct or
- the passport photo is no longer clearly suitable for identification purposes. This can be the case in particular with passports for babies or small children.

How long does it take to process

6 weeks to 8 weeks In the express process approx. 4 - 5 days.

• § 1 Verordnung zur Durchführung des Passgesetzes (Passverordnung - PassV)
• § 6 Absatz 1 Passgesetz (PassG)
• § 15 Verordnung zur Durchführung des Passgesetzes (Passverordnung - PassV)
• Section 15 of the Ordinance on the Implementation of the Passport Act (Passport Ordinance – PassV)
• Section 1 of the Ordinance on the Implementation of the Passport Act (Passport Ordinance – PassV)
• Section 6(1) of the Passport Act (PassG)

• Reisepass beantragen – für Personen unter 18 Jahren
• Personalausweis / Reisepass / eID-Karte abholen
• Vorläufigen Reisepass beantragen
• Elektronisches Reisegenehmigungssystem des Ministeriums für Innere Sicherheit der Vereinigten Staaten
• Elektronische Reisegenehmigung (eTA) für Kanada beantragen
• Informationsblatt Direktversand
• Allgemeine Informationen über Reisepässe und Personalausweise auf der Internetseite des Auswärtigen Amts
• Reise- und Sicherheitshinweise des Auswärtigen Amtes
• Alle wichtigen Informationen zum deutschen Reisepass auf der Internetseite des Bundesministeriums des Innern (BMI)
• Fragen und Antworten zum Thema "Biometrie" und Passfotos auf dem Personalausweisportal
• Fotomustertafel - Qualitätsmerkmale biometrischer Fotos für Dokumente
• Travel and safety advice from the Federal Foreign Office
• Sample photo chart – Quality criteria for biometric photos for documents
• General information on passports and identity cards on the Federal Foreign Office’s website
• All the key information about the German passport can be found on the website of the Federal Ministry of the Interior (BMI)
• Apply for a provisional passport
• Apply for an Electronic Travel Authorisation (eTA) for Canada
• Electronic System for Travel Authorisation of the United States Department of Homeland Security
• Questions and answers on the topic of ‘biometrics’ and passport photographs on the ID card portal
• Applying for a passport – for those under 18
• Collect your identity card / passport / eID card
• Direct Mail Information Sheet