Applying for a passport for minors for the first time

When travelling outside the European Union (EU), children generally require a passport that is valid for several years.

Only persons with custody can apply for a passport for children.

You must apply for your child's passport in person and together with your child at the Citizens' Office at the child's place of residence.

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

If you live abroad or if your child's passport has been lost abroad, you can apply for a passport for your child at the German representation abroad.

If the child is 6 years or older, their fingerprints are recorded and stored exclusively in the chip of the ID document. The fingerprints are then deleted by the authorities and the passport manufacturer. At your express request, you can apply for a passport for your child under the age of 12 without storing fingerprints. Please enquire in advance whether your destination country recognises temporary passports as an entry document.

So-called children's passports will no longer be issued from 1 January 2024. Does your child still have a valid children's passport? You can continue to use it until

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

Note: Not all countries recognise the children's passport. Please check which countries recognise the children's passport before you travel. Use the travel and security information from the Federal Foreign Office (AA).

You can apply for a passport or identity card (electronic proof of identity function from the age of 16) for your child with German citizenship - regardless of age. Both are valid for 6 years for persons under the age of 24. Identity cards are recognised as travel documents in the EU and are sufficient for both adults and children. The passport allows visa-free travel for tourism purposes to over 170 countries worldwide. It is advisable to base the decision on an ID document for children on their use or travel behaviour, as ID is only compulsory from the age of 16.

The application of minors for a passport must be approved in writing by both parents (as long as they have joint custody and live together). In the case of unmarried or divorced parents, consent can be given by the parent to whom the family court has granted sole parental custody of the child. The decision of the family court must be submitted with the application. The application can be made by only one parent if the consent of the other parent is confirmed in writing, a copy of the identity card of the other custodial parent is presented and there is no doubt as to the accuracy of this information.
The child must always appear in person, as their identity must be verified. They must also sign if they are 10 years or older at the time of the passport application. It is also permissible for younger children to sign.

From the age of 7, fingerprints must be taken for the issue of a passport for minors.
It is not possible to change the child's personal details (e.g. a change of name) in the passport. In these cases, a new passport must be applied for if necessary.
Direct mailing is not available for travel documents for children.

Please note:
Please find out about the specific entry requirements for your destination country and the necessary identification documents in good time before travelling. Information on this can be found in the travel and security advice issued by the Federal Foreign Office(https://www.auswaertiges-amt.de/de/)

• Apply for a passport using the express procedure
• Apply for a temporary passport
• Federal Foreign Office - Travel advice

• § Section 6 (1) Passport Act (PassG)
• § Section 1 Ordinance on the Implementation of the Passport Act (Passport Ordinance - PassV)
• § Section 15 Ordinance on the Implementation of the Passport Act (Passport Ordinance - PassV)

• Biometric digital passport photo, taken on site at the authority or by a registered domestic photo service provider
  • Less stringent requirements apply to children under the age of 10 than to adults
• if available and not yet cancelled:
  • Previous passport of your child
  • temporary passport of your child
  • Identity card of your child
  • Children's passport
• Birth certificate, if applicable
• Identification documents of the custodial persons present
• If applicable, a declaration of consent and a copy of the identity card of the person with parental authority who is not present
• Proof of custody if only one person has custody of the child
• If necessary, further documents, for example
  • In the event of loss due to theft: police report

The child must be present in person when the application is submitted.

• Current biometric digital photograph

From 1 May 2025, only digital photographs are to be used for applications for official documents.
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.

• Identity document (e.g. old or invalid children's passport, passport, identity card) of the child or a civil status certificate (e.g. birth certificate)
• If applicable, declaration of consent from the person without custody and their ID (also possible as a copy) and, if applicable, proof of custody
• for name changes, a certificate from the registry office

• Your child has German citizenship.
• You are entitled to custody.
• You and your child are present in person when you apply for a passport.

The minor child:

• has German citizenship
• must be present when the application is submitted.

The applicant must appear in person to apply for a passport (e-passport). The application is completed on the spot with the clerk. The applicant only has to sign.

The personal appearance is essential because of the handwritten signature on the application form and the identity check. Identity can be verified by means of an official photo ID. This is usually an identity card.

From the age of 10, the child's signature must be included on the passport. From the age of 6, fingerprints must be taken.

The passport can also be collected by a person authorised in writing, who must provide proof of identity.

Forms available: No
Written form required: No
Informal application possible: Yes
Personal appearance required: Yes

• You cannot take your passport with you immediately after submitting your application, as it is first produced at the Federal Printing Office. If the passport is needed earlier, an express passport can be applied for.
• Validity period of the passport for minors 6 years. It is not possible to extend the period of validity.
• You must report the loss of your child's passport and its recovery to the passport office as soon as possible. Details can be found in the service description "Passport - report loss".
• At the joint request of both parents, the names of all custodial persons can be entered in the passport (or temporary passport) of minors if the surname of the minor is different from the surname of at least one custodial person. This simplifies checks when travelling across borders. However, in the case of parents travelling alone with a child, this entry does not replace the written consent of the second person with custody, which may be required to be carried during the journey.
• The former children's passport was abolished on 1 January 2024. Since 1 January 2024, no new children's passports can be issued, extended or updated. The validity of children's passports that have already been issued remains unaffected.

II 310

• Passport issued for minors in Mecklenburg-Vorpommern for the first time

  Display of performance in the source portal

In Mecklenburg-Vorpommern, the competent authorities are the passport authorities in the independent towns, large towns belonging to districts, public authorities and independent municipalities.