Passport: Apply for a change
Short text
In many countries outside the European Union (EU), you need a passport to enter the country. This passport must always contain the current data.
Full text
The data in your passport must always be up to date. If certain changes occur, you must apply for a new passport.
Changes that result in a new passport being issued are:
- Change of name on marriage or establishment of a civil partnership
- Change of name in the event of divorce or dissolution of a civil partnership
- Change of other data
Changes that are made without issuing a new passport are:
- Changes of residence
Basis for action(s)
Required documents
- Your previous passport
- Your identity card
- A current biometric photo (for new issue)
- Documents with current name (in case of name change)
From 1 May 2025, only digitally created biometric photographs will be accepted in the application process.
The photograph can be taken by external service providers (e.g. photographers) who make it available to the passport or ID card authority in a cloud for retrieval.
Alternatively, digital photographs can usually also be taken at the passport or ID card authority.
If necessary, find out before your appointment whether the photo can be taken at the authority.
Printed passport photos that you have brought with you can only be processed in exceptional cases.Prerequisites
To apply for a change of passport, the following changes must be made:
- Change of name on marriage or establishment of a civil partnership
- Change of name in the event of divorce or dissolution of a civil partnership
- Change of other data
Costs (fees, expenses, etc.)
- up to 24 years (valid for 6 years): EUR 37.50
- from 24 years (validity 10 years): 60,00 EUR
Further fees are set out in § 15 of the Passport Ordinance (PassV).
Procedure
You must apply for changes to your passport in person at your passport office.
Once the passport has been produced, it is sent by the passport manufacturer to the passport authority where you applied. You can then collect the passport there.
Processing time
Please contact the relevant passport authority for current processing times.
Deadlines
A new passport issued as a result of changes has a period of validity of
- for applicants under the age of 24: 6 years
- for applicants aged 24 and over: 10 years
- Temporary passport: maximum 1 year
The validity of the passport cannot be extended.
Author
II 210
Typing
2/3bResponsible office
Passport authorities in the independent towns, large towns belonging to the district, offices and independent municipalities