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. The application is only possible with an agreed appointment.

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

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.

After applying, you can call up the current processing status online. Please note the information under further information ("Checking the processing status of your passport")

Please note when traveling to the USA and Canada:

In addition to a regular (machine-readable bordeaux red) passport, German citizens must also be in possession of an electronic entry permit for visa-free entry into the USA or Canada, which can be applied for via the electronic travel authorization systems of the USA or Canada.