Passport
External content
Anyone travelling outside the European Union needs a passport.
Description
As the entry requirements often change at very short notice, no guarantee can be given for information. It is therefore strongly recommended that you apply for the necessary passport in good time.
When crossing national borders, it is always necessary to carry an identity document. However, when travelling within the European Union and to most holiday destinations, it is sufficient for Germans to present their identity card or children's passport.
Note for frequent travellers
Frequent travellers can obtain passports with 48 pages instead of 32.
Express order
A passport can also be ordered from Bundesdruckerei using the express procedure. The processing time (application to delivery) is around three to six working days. You can apply for and collect your passport from any Citizens Office in the city. In addition to the fee, a surcharge of 32 euros must be paid.
Temporary passport
If you need the passport urgently and even the express order takes too long, you can apply for a temporary passport, which you can take with you immediately.
Please bring an additional biometric passport photo with you. The temporary passport is valid for one year, but is not accepted by all countries (e.g. USA).
You must prove or credibly demonstrate that you urgently need the temporary passport.
You can obtain details on the travel modalities of individual countries from the Foreign Office, your travel agent or the embassy of the country in question.
You can apply for a temporary passport at any Citizens Office in the city.
You must always apply in person (including children). You must make an appointment to visit the Citizens Office.
Prerequisites
You can only apply for a passport at the passport office at your main place of residence. You can book an appointment to apply online.
The only exception is for German citizens who live abroad, are visiting Munich and urgently need a new passport. In this exceptional case, you cannot book an appointment at a Citizens Office, as the processing is centralised. For information on how to apply and make an appointment, please use the contact form.
The passport authority must check both the authorisation to apply and the authenticity of the signature. Please present the relevant identification documents (identity card, passport).
A passport for minors (i.e. before the age of 18) may only be applied for by persons who have custody of the child. The child must always be present when the application is made.
If both parents live together with the child, it is sufficient for one parent to present a declaration of consent from the other parent.
If custodial parents live separately, only the parent with whom the child is registered as having their main residence may apply for the passport. As a rule, the consent of the other parent is not required. In cases of doubt, further evidence may need to be submitted.
If one parent has sole custody, they can apply for the passport without the consent of the other parent, regardless of whether the parents live separately or together.
Required documents
- Current biometric photograph
- Identity document (previous passport, identity card, child's passport - if available; original birth certificate of the child for the first application)
- For under 18-year-olds: Identity card or passport of all custodial persons
- If required: Declaration of consent from the absent parent (available for download)
- Important: In cases of doubt, the passport authority may request further documents (e.g. custody orders, current civil status certificates, proof of German citizenship). In these cases, you may have to visit the office again in person.
- The fees must be paid in full at the time of application.
Questions & Answers
Yes, you can keep your cancelled passport if you wish. Bring your old passport with you when you collect your new one. It will then be cancelled and given back to you.
If you need the passport urgently and if even the express order takes too long, you can apply for a temporary passport that you can take with you immediately. Please bring an additional biometric passport photo with you. The temporary passport is valid for one year, but is not accepted by all countries (e.g. USA).
- You must prove or credibly demonstrate that you urgently need the temporary passport.
- You can obtain details on the travel modalities of individual countries from the Federal Foreign Office, your travel agent or the embassy of the country in question.
- You can apply for a temporary passport at any Citizens Office in the city.
Yes, you can also apply for a passport for children. A passport is even mandatory when travelling to some countries.
More information on passports for children.
Yes, it is possible under certain conditions and can be applied for.
The passport automatically becomes invalid in the event of death. You have the option of returning the passport to the registration office, where it will be cancelled and destroyed in accordance with data protection regulations. You can keep the cancelled passport if you wish.