! 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, 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 photo 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 authority to find out whether it has devices for taking photos.

Since May 2, 2025, it has been possible to have requested German passports sent to the domestic registration address for an additional fee of €15.00 from the 18th birthday. This service is not available for express passports. The consignment may only be handed over to the addressee in person. Further information on direct delivery can be obtained from your passport authority.

The electronic passport (ePassport) is an official photo ID for Germans that entitles the holder to cross the border of the Federal Republic of Germany. The holder of a valid German passport satisfies the statutory identification requirement, meaning that no identity card is required.

The period of validity of the passport depends on the age of the applicant, whereby an extension of the validity is not possible:

• 6 years before the age of 24
• 10 years from the age of 24
• Temporary passport: maximum 1 year

Notes:

• Since November 1, 2007, fingerprints have also been included in the passport chip (from the age of six).
• Since November 1, 2010, the names of religious orders and artists have been included in passports again.
• No person may hold more than one passport issued by the Federal Republic of Germany unless a legitimate interest in the issue of more than one passport can be proven.
• A temporary passport may only be issued in justified, time-limited individual cases if it is not (or no longer) possible to issue a passport using the express procedure (see also under "Processing time").
• Since 01.03.2017, the third generation passport has been issued with new security features and materials.

Responsibility

The municipality in which you are registered for your residence, or your main residence if you have more than one residence, is responsible for issuing the passport.

For passport matters abroad, the Federal Foreign Office and its designated foreign missions of the Federal Republic of Germany are the competent passport authorities.

With the consent of the passport authority abroad, passport applications from Germans living abroad can be accepted and processed by passport authorities in Germany if an important reason is presented (e.g. if the journey to the competent passport authority is considerably further than to the passport authority without jurisdiction)."