Apply for and collect your passport
Full text
A German passport allows you to enter over 170 countries worldwide as a tourist without a visa. You will need a passport if you wish to travel to countries outside the European Union (EU). If you are a German national, you can apply for a German passport.
The passport
- is recognised both within the EU and outside the EU,
- has a microchip and is
- Applications can be made for people of all ages, from birth onwards.
Passport for children
Your child will also need a passport if you are planning a trip outside the EU.
Children’s passports have not been issued since 1 January 2024. You can apply for a standard passport for your child.
Does your child still have a valid child’s passport?
You can continue to use this 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
Please note: The child’s passport is no longer recognised by all countries. Please check before you travel where your child’s passport is recognised. To do so, please refer to the travel and safety advice provided by the Federal Foreign Office (AA).
Responsibilities
You can apply for a passport at the Citizens' Registration Office at your place of residence. If you have more than one place of residence, the Citizens' Registration Office at your main place of residence is responsible.
If there is a valid reason, you may, in some cases, apply for your passport at a government office outside your place of residence. This may result in additional costs for you.
If you live abroad or have lost your passport whilst abroad, you can apply for a new passport at the German diplomatic mission abroad.
Basis for action(s)
Required documents
- Biometric digital passport photo: taken on site at the authority or by a registered domestic photo service provider (photographer)
- When applying at German diplomatic missions abroad, exceptions may apply and a paper passport photograph may be required
- if available and not yet cancelled: your previous
- Passport
- provisional passport
- Identity card
- temporary identity card
- Children's passport
- your birth certificate, if applicable
- for children or young people under the age of 18:
- 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
- where applicable, a document showing your current name, for example
- Birth, marriage and marriage certificate
- Family Register
- Statement regarding the use of names
- Further documents may be required, for example
- In the event of loss or theft: report to the police
- Biometric digital passport photo: taken on site at the authority or by a registered domestic photo service provider (photographer)
Prerequisites
- You have German citizenship.
- You must be present in person when applying for your passport.
- If you are applying for a passport for your child or someone in your care, that person must also be present when you submit the application.
- for children under the age of 18:
- You are entitled to custody.
- There must be no grounds for refusing a passport. This includes, for example, the assumption that you will be prevented from travelling abroad by
- a criminal prosecution,
- the execution of a sentence or
- want to evade a statutory maintenance obligation.
Costs (fees, expenses, etc.)
Fee: 70,00 €Prepayment: Yeshttps://www.bmi.bund.de/SharedDocs/faqs/DE/themen/moderne-verwaltung/reisepass/beantragung-kosten-abholung/02-gebuehren.htmlThe charges apply from the age of 24. The fee (excluding surcharges) doubles if: - the passport has to be issued outside normal office hours, or - the application is not made to the local passport office responsible for your main place of residence.Fee: 37,50 €Prepayment: Yeshttps://www.bmi.bund.de/SharedDocs/faqs/DE/themen/moderne-verwaltung/reisepass/beantragung-kosten-abholung/02-gebuehren.htmlThese charges apply if you are under 24 years of age. The fee (excluding surcharges) doubles if: - the passport has to be issued outside normal office hours, or - the application is not made at the passport office with jurisdiction over your main place of residence.Fee: 32,00 €Prepayment: Yeshttps://www.bmi.bund.de/SharedDocs/faqs/DE/themen/moderne-verwaltung/reisepass/beantragung-kosten-abholung/02-gebuehren.htmlSurcharge for passport applications processed via the express service.Fee: 22,00 €Prepayment: Yeshttps://www.bmi.bund.de/SharedDocs/faqs/DE/themen/moderne-verwaltung/reisepass/beantragung-kosten-abholung/02-gebuehren.htmlSurcharge for a 48-page passport instead of a 32-page oneFee: €36.00Prepayment: Yeshttps://www.bmi.bund.de/SharedDocs/faqs/DE/themen/moderne-verwaltung/reisepass/beantragung-kosten-abholung/02-gebuehren.htmlAdditional charge if you apply for a passport at a German diplomatic mission abroad (embassy or consulate).Fee: 6,00 €Prepayment: Yeshttps://www.bmi.bund.de/SharedDocs/faqs/DE/themen/moderne-verwaltung/reisepass/beantragung-kosten-abholung/02-gebuehren.htmlFee for passport photo if the authority uses the PointID photo system from Bundesdruckerei GmbH. If the authority uses photo systems from other manufacturers, the fee may differ.Fee: 15,00 €Prepayment: Yeshttps://www.bmi.bund.de/SharedDocs/faqs/DE/themen/moderne-verwaltung/reisepass/beantragung-kosten-abholung/02-gebuehren.htmlDelivery charge for parcels sent to your domestic residential addressProcedure
You must apply for a passport in person at the relevant office:
- Make an appointment at your local citizens' office.
- Bring all the necessary documents with you to the agreed appointment.
- The application form will be completed by the office staff together with you on the spot. All you need to do is sign the form.
- Your fingerprints will be taken. These are usually the prints of both your index fingers.
- Your fingerprints will be taken solely for the purpose of being stored on the passport’s chip and will be retained at the Citizens’ Bureau until you collect your passport. After that, your fingerprints will be deleted and will only remain stored on the chip in your passport.
- Children under the age of 6 do not need to provide a fingerprint
- Children aged 10 and over must provide a signature; signatures from younger children are permitted if they are able to write.
- Your local council office will let you know when you can collect your passport. You can authorise another adult in writing to collect your passport from the council office on your behalf.
- Alternatively, you can have the identity document sent by post to your domestic address for a fee and have it delivered personally to your door.
Deadlines
Your passport will cease to be valid before the expiry date stated on it if
- the personal details on file no longer apply to you, or
- Their photograph is no longer suitable for clear identification. This can be the case, in particular, with passports for babies or very young children.
For applicants under the age of 24
Period of validity: 6 years
For applicants aged 24 and over
Period of validity: 10 years
Further information
- Information on passports and identity cards on the website of the Federal Foreign Office (AA)
- Information on the security of the destination country or transit country and on the required documents on the website of the Federal Foreign Office (AA)
- Information on the German passport on the website of the Federal Ministry of the Interior (BMI)
- Questions and answers on the subject of "biometrics" and passport photos on the ID card portal
Author
Redirection service: Deep link to the original portal Redirection service: Deep link to the original portal- Apply for a passport in Mecklenburg-Vorpommern
Display of performance in the source portal
- Apply for and collect your passport
Display of performance in the source portal
- Apply for a passport in Mecklenburg-Vorpommern