!CHANGE AS OF 01.05.2025!

In accordance with the Act to Strengthen Security in Passport, ID and Alien Law Documents of December 3, 2020, only digital photographs must be used for applications for official documents from May 1, 2025 in order to prevent manipulated photographs from being introduced into the application process. Since May 1, 2025, 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/ID card 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 photos.

Direct mailing, which was introduced on May 2, 2025, is not possible for travel documents for children.

CHANGE AS OF 01.01.2024

With the Act on the Modernization of the Passport, ID and Foreigners' Document System, which was published on 12.10.2023, the children's passport was abolished on 01.01.2024. Since 01.01.2024, no new children's passports can be issued, extended or updated.

The validity of children's passports that have already been issued remains unaffected.

Since 01.11.2007, it is no longer possible to enter the child in the parents' passport. Previous child entries have been invalid since 26.06.2012 due to a European regulation. In this respect, children (from birth) always need their own travel document to cross the border ("one person - one passport").

For your child with German citizenship, you can - regardless of age - continue to apply for passports valid for several years or identity cards (function for electronic proof of identity from the age of 16). Both are valid for 6 years for persons under the age of 24. Identity cards are recognized as travel documents in the EU and are sufficient for both adults and children. The passport allows visa-free travel for tourist purposes to over 170 countries worldwide and is one of the most popular in the world.

It is advisable to base the choice of ID document for children on their use and travel behavior, as ID is only compulsory from the age of 16.

Since an ID document is invalid if it does not allow a proper identification, we recommend paying particular attention to the up-to-dateness of the photo to prevent problems when crossing borders, as the appearance of infants and very young children in particular can change considerably during the period of validity.

Since 02.08.2021, the names of all custodial persons can be entered in the passport (or temporary passport) of minors upon joint application by both parents if the surname of the minor differs from the surname of at least one custodial person. This simplifies checks when traveling across borders. However, this entry does not replace the written consent of the second person with custody - which may be required during the journey - for parents traveling alone with their child.

Responsibility

The municipality in which you or the child are registered for your/their residence, or for your/their main residence if there is more than one residence, is responsible for issuing an identity card or passport.

For children born abroad, the local diplomatic mission responsible for the place of birth is generally responsible for issuing a German identity document for the first time, regardless of whether the child's habitual residence has been transferred to Germany.