When traveling outside the European Union (EU), children generally require a passport that is valid for several years.

Only the person with custody can apply for a passport for children.

You must apply for your child's passport in person and together with your child at the Citizens' Office at the child's place of residence.

If there is an important reason, you can apply for the passport at an authority outside your child's place of residence. This may incur additional costs for you.

If you live abroad or if your child's passport has been lost abroad, you can apply for a passport for your child at the German representation abroad.

If the child is 6 years or older, their fingerprints will be recorded and stored exclusively in the chip of the ID document. The fingerprints will then be deleted by the authorities and the passport manufacturer. At your express request, you can apply for a passport for your child under the age of 12 without storing fingerprints. Please find out in advance whether your destination country recognizes temporary passports as an entry document.

So-called children's passports have no longer been issued since January 1, 2024. Does your child still have a valid children's passport? You can continue to use it until

• the validity expires
• information no longer applies, with the exception of the height information
• the photo is no longer sufficient to clearly identify your child

Note: Not all countries recognize children's passports. Please check which countries recognize the children's passport before you travel. Use the travel and security information from the Federal Foreign Office (AA).

The application of minors must be approved in writing by both parents (as long as they have joint custody). In the case of unmarried or divorced parents, consent can be given by the parent to whom the family court has granted sole parental custody of the child. The decision of the family court must be submitted with the application.

Furthermore, in the case of minors, one parent may sign at the time of application and the other parent may sign at the time of collection.