Bundesportal | Passport; Application

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Publisher

Bavaria

Last update or date of publication

March 29, 2026

! CHANGE EFFECTIVE MAY 1, 2025 !

Pursuant to the Act on Strengthening Security in Passport, Identification, and Foreign Nationals’ Documents Act of December 3, 2020, digital photographs must be used when applying for official documents as of May 1, 2025, to prevent manipulated photographs from being submitted during the application process. As of May 1, 2025, the photo can still be taken at a photographer’s studio, in which case the photographer must upload the photo to a secure cloud. You will receive a printout of a Data Matrix code (similar to a QR code), which the agency can use to locate and download your photo from the cloud. Alternatively, the passport office may offer to take photos electronically on-site at the office and integrate them seamlessly into the application process. To find out whether the office has equipment for taking photos, please contact them directly.

As of May 2, 2025, individuals who have turned 18 may have their applied-for German passports sent to their domestic registered address for an additional fee of €15.00. This service is not available for express passports. The package may only be handed over in person to the addressee. For more information on direct delivery, please contact your passport office.

The electronic passport (ePass) is an official photo ID for German citizens that authorizes them to cross the border of the Federal Republic of Germany. The holder of a valid German passport satisfies the legally required identification obligation, so no additional identity card is necessary.

The passport’s validity period depends on the applicant’s age, and the validity cannot be extended:

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

Notes:

Since November 1, 2007, fingerprints have also been stored in the passport’s chip (for applicants aged 6 and older).
Since November 1, 2010, honorary titles and stage names have once again been included in the passport.
No one may hold more than one passport issued by the Federal Republic of Germany unless a legitimate interest in the issuance of multiple passports can be demonstrated.
A temporary passport may only be issued in justified, time-sensitive individual cases where the issuance of a passport via the express procedure (see also “Processing Time”) is no longer possible.
Since March 1, 2017, the third-generation passport has been issued with new security features and materials.

Jurisdiction

The municipality in which you are registered at your residence—or, if you have multiple residences, at your primary residence—is responsible for issuing your passport.

For passport matters abroad, the Federal Foreign Office, together with the diplomatic missions of the Federal Republic of Germany designated by it, is the competent passport authority.

With the approval of the foreign passport authority, passport applications from Germans living abroad may be accepted and processed by passport authorities in Germany if a compelling reason is demonstrated (e.g., if the distance to the competent passport authority is significantly greater than to the non-competent passport authority).”

previous official identification document (passport, identity card or children's passport)
Current biometric digital photograph (frontal view)
(Children's passports are now only issued with a photograph. This also applies to infants).
For first-time issuance (this may also include new arrivals) or on specific occasions, usually other documents, e.g. civil status certificates, citizenship certificates
for passport applicants under the age of 18:
in the case of parents living together who have joint parental responsibility, the application can be made by one parent with the written consent of the other parent, whereby the signature of the other parent should be checked by the passport authority
if there is only one legal guardian: proof of custody
Proof of temporary passport:
When issuing a temporary passport, the passport authorities may require the submission of appropriate evidence to demonstrate that a passport is needed immediately and that it will not be possible to issue a passport using the express procedure until the date on which it is expected to be used for the first time

Vollmacht zur Abholung des Reisepasses

Preconditions

A German national as defined in Article 116(1) of the Basic Law
Submission of a formal application to the relevant municipality by the passport applicant or legal representative (e.g., in cases of joint custody by both parents, if they are living apart on more than a temporary basis, the application is generally submitted solely by the parent with whom the child usually resides) or guardian
Representation by an authorized representative is not permitted
To verify their identity, the passport applicant (including minors) must, as a general rule, appear in person at the passport office.

Before turning 24: 37.50 EUR
On or after the age of 24: 70.00 EUR
Temporary passport: 26.00 EUR
Fees increase by 6.00 EUR if the photograph was taken by the passport office
Amendment to a passport/temporary passport (only height and/or eye color): 6.00 EUR (change of residence is free of charge)
Surcharge for an express passport: 32.00 EUR
Surcharge for a 48-page passport: 22.00 EUR
Direct mailing of a passport: 15.00 EUR

Double fees:

When issuing a temporary passport or amending a passport or temporary passport, if this is done outside of official office hours at the applicant’s request.
When issuing a passport (including before the age of 24), a temporary passport, or making changes to a passport or temporary passport, if this is done by an unauthorized authority at the applicant’s request.

Basis for legal action

§ 1 Passgesetz (PassG) Passpflicht

§ 19 Passgesetz (PassG) Zuständigkeit

§ 27 Passverordnung (PassV) Gebühren

§ 5 Passgesetz (PassG) Gültigkeitsdauer

§ 6 Passgesetz (PassG) Ausstellung eines Passes

§ 8c Zuständigkeitsverordnung (ZustV) Zuständigkeit der Gemeinden zur Pass-/Personalausweisausstellung

Legal Remedies

Not specified

Procedure

After you apply for a passport, the passport authority commissions Bundesdruckerei GmbH to issue the passport.

You will be notified as soon as the document is ready for pickup. Some municipalities offer an online service instead to provide information on the processing status. You can obtain more detailed information when you apply.

Deadlines

Not specified

Processing time

According to the Federal Ministry of the Interior, Building, and Home Affairs, it generally takes at least two weeks from the date of application until you can pick up your passport at the Citizens’ Office. In some cases, however, it may take several weeks. Please make sure you have a valid passport and apply for your passport in a timely manner. For more information, contact your local passport office.

In urgent or emergency situations, a passport can be issued through the express process: If the express application is received by Bundesdruckerei GmbH by 12:00 p.m., the passport is usually ready for pickup at the passport office on the third business day following the application (Monday through Friday, excluding holidays).

Temporary passport: Issuance and delivery are possible immediately.

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