Reisepass Ausstellung

German citizens must carry a passport with them and show it on request when leaving or re-entering the Federal Republic of Germany. However, the holder of a valid German passport also fulfills his or her statutory identification requirements within Germany. In this respect, the passport replaces the identity card, although, unlike the latter, it does not contain the holder's address. The identity card, on the other hand, is only sufficient for domestic travel, but generally not for entry into other countries - exceptions exist in particular for travel within the European Union (EU).

The period of validity of the passport depends on the age of the passport holder. Before the age of 24, the passport is valid for six years, after the age of 24 for ten years. A temporary passport is valid for a maximum of one year.

Note: The passport cannot be extended after the expiry date. If the passport has become invalid due to expiry or in any other way, you must apply for a new one if necessary.

A passport or temporary passport is invalid before the expiry date if it does not allow the holder's identity to be established properly or if it has been altered or if entries are missing or incorrect, with the exception of the details of the place of residence.

Passports are generally issued with 32 pages. For an additional fee, you can obtain a passport with 48 pages (for frequent travelers with additional pages for visa entries).

Note: Passports are produced centrally by the Bundesdruckerei in Berlin. Temporary passports are produced by the passport authority.

It is not possible to change personal data (e.g. name after marriage) in the passport. In these cases, a new passport must be applied for if necessary.

Since 12.1.2009, please note when traveling to the USA and since 15.03.2016 when traveling to Canada:

German citizens must also be in possession of an electronic entry permit for visa-free entry into the USA or Canada - in addition to a regular (machine-readable bordeaux red) passport.

• Proof of identity

  e.g. old or invalid identity card, valid (child) passport or birth certificate in the case of infants or young children who do not yet have a (child) passport or identity card.

• in case of name changes, e.g. due to marriage:

  Possible extract from the family book

• for children under 18 years
  • the completed "Declaration of consent passport" form signed by the parents or guardians and their identity cards (also copies)
  • if necessary, proof of custody with only one parent or guardian
  • If necessary, birth certificate for infants or small children who do not yet have a passport or identity card, but need a regular passport for e.g. trips to the USA
• 1 biometric passport photo (not older than 6 months)
  • according to the photo sample board

• 1 photograph that must meet biometric requirements (e.g. frontal photograph/recommended not older than 3 months)
• Proof of identity (e.g. passport, old or invalid passport)
• since 01.11.07: fingerprint capture! (also for children from the age of 6)
• When moving to Bremerhaven, a marriage/birth certificate must always be presented if no identity document was previously issued in Bremerhaven. No data will be transferred from the old ID document without verification. Copies of documents can also be submitted.

Please note:

• Children over the age of 10 must sign.

Important: This is a municipal service. You can therefore only visit an office that is located in your place of residence.

• Fingerprint capture (since 01.11.2007)
  also for children from the age of 6
• The passport can only be applied for in person, as a handwritten signature is required at the time of application.
• If all the necessary documents are available, children under the age of 18 can apply for a passport without their parents being present. The completed form "Declaration of consent for passport" signed by the parents or legal guardians and their IDs (also as a copy) must then be presented.
• A representative can be authorized to collect the passport. For this purpose, the authorized representative must identify themselves accordingly and bring a power of attorney as well as the identity card or passport of the person granting the power of attorney.
• In principle, passports can only be collected (even without an appointment) from the Bürgerbüro Mitte. A processing time of 4 to 6 weeks is to be expected.

Validity:

• For persons under 24 years of age: 6 years
• For persons aged 24 and over: 10 years

Change in German passport law

Due to a European legal regulation, there will be an important change in German passport law on 26.06.2012:

All entries relating to children that were made in the passport of the parents (or one parent) on the basis of previous passport regulations up to 31.10.2007 will become invalid from 26.06.2012 and will no longer entitle the child to cross the border. From this date, all children must have their own travel document when traveling abroad. For the actual passport holder, however, the document remains valid without restriction (provided it has not expired).