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Apply for a passport

Please note in particular our information under:
  • Service description

    The German passport allows you to enter over 170 countries worldwide as a tourist without a visa. You need a passport if you want to travel to countries outside the European Union (EU). If you have German citizenship, you can apply for a German passport.

    The passport

    • is recognized both within the EU and outside the EU,
    • has a chip and is
    • can be applied for at any age from birth.

    Passport for children

    Your child also needs a passport if you are planning to travel outside the EU.

    Since January 1, 2024, children's passports are no longer issued. You can apply for a regular passport for your child.

    Does your child still have a valid child passport?

    You can continue to use this until

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

    Note: The children's passport is no longer recognized by all countries. Please check before your trip where your child's passport is recognized. Use the travel and security information from the Federal Foreign Office (AA).

    Responsibilities

    You can apply for a passport at the Citizens' Registration Office at your place of residence. If you have more than one place of residence, the Citizens' Registration Office at your main place of residence is responsible.

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

    If you live abroad or have lost your passport abroad, you can apply for your passport at the German representation abroad.

    The German passport allows you to enter over 170 countries worldwide as a tourist without a visa. You need a passport if you want to travel to countries outside the European Union (EU). If you have German citizenship, you can apply for a German passport.

    The passport

    • is recognized both within the EU and outside the EU,
    • has a chip and is
    • can be applied for at any age from birth.

    Passport for children

    Your child also needs a passport if you are planning to travel outside the EU.

    Since January 1, 2024, children's passports are no longer issued. You can apply for a regular passport for your child.

    Does your child still have a valid child passport?

    You can continue to use this until

    • the validity expires
    • Information no longer applies
    • the photo is no longer sufficient to clearly identify your child

    Note: The children's passport is no longer recognized by all countries. Please check before your trip where your child's passport is recognized. Use the travel and security information from the Federal Foreign Office (AA).

    Responsibilities

    You can apply for a passport at the Citizens' Registration Office at your place of residence. If you have more than one place of residence, the Citizens' Registration Office at your main place of residence is responsible.

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

    If you live abroad or have lost your passport abroad, you can apply for your passport at the German representation abroad.

  • Procedure

    You must apply for a passport in person on site:

    • Make an appointment at your local citizens' office.
    • Bring all the necessary documents with you to the agreed appointment.
    • The application is filled out by the authority staff with you on site. All you have to do is sign the application.
    • Your fingerprints will be taken. As a rule, these are the prints of your two index fingers.
      • Your fingerprints will only be taken for storage in the passport chip and stored until you collect your passport from the Citizens' Registration Office. After that, your fingerprints will be deleted and will only be stored on the chip in your passport.
      • Children under the age of 6 do not have to give a fingerprint
    • A signature must be provided by children aged 10 and over; younger children are permitted to sign if they are able to write.
    • Your Citizens' Registration Office will inform you when you can collect your passport. You can authorize another person of legal age in writing to collect your passport from the authority.
    • Alternatively, you can pay a fee to have the ID document sent by post to your home address in Germany and handed over in person at the front door.

    You must apply for a passport in person on site:

    • Make an appointment at your local citizens' office.
    • Bring all the necessary documents with you to the agreed appointment.
    • The application is filled out by the authority staff with you on site. All you have to do is sign the application.
    • Your fingerprints will be taken. As a rule, these are the prints of your two index fingers.
      • Your fingerprints will only be taken for storage in the passport chip and stored until you collect your passport from the Citizens' Registration Office. After that, your fingerprints will be deleted and will only be stored on the chip in your passport.
      • Children under the age of 6 do not have to provide a fingerprint or signature.
    • Your Citizens' Registration Office will inform you when you can collect your passport. You can authorize another person of legal age in writing to collect your passport from the authority.
    • Alternatively, you can pay a fee to have the ID document sent by post to your home address in Germany and handed over in person at the front door.
  • Prerequisites

    • You have German citizenship.
    • You are present in person when you apply for your passport.
      • If you are applying for a passport for your child or someone you care for, they must also be present at the application.
    • for children under the age of 18:
      • You have custody rights.
    • There must be no grounds for refusing a passport. This includes, for example, the assumption that you will be able to obtain a passport by leaving the country.
      • a criminal prosecution,
      • the execution of a sentence or
      • want to evade a statutory maintenance obligation.
    • You have German citizenship.
    • You are present in person when you apply for your passport.
      • If you are applying for a passport for your child or someone you care for, they must also be present at the application.
    • for children under the age of 18:
      • You have custody rights.
    • There must be no grounds for refusing a passport. This includes, for example, the assumption that you will be able to obtain a passport by leaving the country.
      • a criminal prosecution,
      • the execution of a sentence or
      • want to evade a statutory maintenance obligation.
    Special information for - City of Idar-Oberstein

    The person for whom the document is to be issued must be present when the application is made. This also applies to minors.

  • What documents are required?

    • Biometric digital passport photo: taken on site at the authority or by a registered domestic photo service provider (photographer). Different regulations may apply abroad and a paper passport photo may still be accepted.
    • if available and not yet validated: Your previous
      • Passport
      • temporary passport
      • Identity card
      • temporary identity card
      • Children's passport
    • your birth certificate, if applicable
    • in children or adolescents under the age of 18:
      • Identification documents of the custodial persons present
      • If applicable, a declaration of consent and a copy of the identity card of the person with custody who is not present
      • Proof of custody if only one person has custody of the child
    • Certificate with current name, if applicable, for example
      • Birth, marriage and marriage certificate
      • Family book
      • Declaration on the use of the name
    • Further documents may be required, for example
      • In the event of loss due to theft: police report
    • Biometric digital passport photo: taken on site at the authority or by a registered domestic photo service provider (photographer). Different regulations may apply abroad and a paper passport photo may still be accepted.
    • if available and not yet validated: Your previous
      • Passport
      • temporary passport
      • Identity card
      • temporary identity card
      • Children's passport
    • your birth certificate, if applicable
    • when applying for a child under the age of 16:
      • Identification documents of the custodial persons present
      • If applicable, a declaration of consent and a copy of the identity card of the person with custody who is not present
      • Proof of custody if only one person has custody of the child
    • Certificate with current name, if applicable, for example
      • Birth, marriage and marriage certificate
      • Family book
      • Declaration on the use of the name
    • Further documents may be required, for example
      • In the event of loss due to theft: police report
    Special information for - City of Idar-Oberstein



    In individual cases, it may be necessary to submit further documents (e.g. to prove marital status or nationality).
    If you have any doubts about which documents to bring, we advise you to contact us by telephone on 06781-64 3800

  • What deadlines do I have to observe?

    Your passport will lose its validity before the expiry date entered if

    • the personal details entered no longer apply to you or
    • your photograph is no longer clearly suitable for identification purposes. This can be the case in particular with passports for babies or very young children.

    Your passport will lose its validity before the expiry date entered if

    • the personal details entered no longer apply to you or
    • your photograph is no longer clearly suitable for identification purposes. This can be the case in particular with passports for babies or very young children.

    For applicants under 24 years of age

    Period of validity: 6 years

    For applicants aged 24 and over

    Period of validity: 10 years

  • Legal basis

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