Applying for identity documents - digital photograph since 1 May 2025
Since 1 May 2025, photographs for passports and identity cards may only be taken digitally. This was stipulated by the legislator in the Act to Strengthen Security in Passport, Identity Card and Foreign Nationals' Documents of 3 December 2020. This means that only electronic and biometric passport photos may be used for identity cards and passports.
Digital photographs can still be taken by a certified private photo service provider. These providers usually issue a QR code that can be presented when applying for an ID card at the citizens' office to securely retrieve the digital photograph. An overview of certified photographers in your area is available from the photo association RINGFOTO GmbH & Co. KG (https://alfo-passbild.com/fotograf-in-der-naehe/).
From now on, it is also possible to have your photo taken directly at the authority. The photo recording system from the Federal Printing Office was delivered in mid-July, so that digital photos can now also be taken directly at the citizens' office when applying for ID documents for a fee (€6 per photo). Paper photos are no longer permitted.
Please note that taking photos of babies and (small) children does not work reliably. In this case, we continue to recommend using the services of a certified photo service provider.
Identification and passport documents
General information about identity cards
When travelling within the European Union, German citizens only need to present their identity card. Travellers can find out whether a passport is required for other countries from the Foreign Office, travel agencies and the embassy of the country in question.
Issuing an identity card
The application for an identity card is prepared by an employee of the Citizens' Office. It is therefore necessary to visit the Citizens' Office in person.
Applicants under the age of 16 must submit their application together with a legal guardian. It is essential that the consent form of the other parent is completed, signed and brought along. It is possible to submit the documents for the second legal representative at a later date or to present them when submitting the application.
The following must be submitted:
a birth, descent or marriage certificate (translated if necessary)
1 current biometric photograph
the previous identity card or passport, child's passport
The application is sent to the Federal Printing Office in Berlin, where the identity card is produced. The processing time for the identity card is approximately 2-3 weeks.
When collecting your identity card, please note the following:
You must bring your old identity document with you.
If you are unable to collect your identity card in person, you must bring a completed and signed collection authorisation form with you.
The authorised representative must be able to identify themselves with their identity card or passport when collecting the card.
Fees
Reissue up to the age of 24 (valid for 6 years) EUR 27.60
Reissue from the age of 24 (valid for 10 years) EUR 46.00
Provisional identity card EUR 10.00
Download
Declaration of consent
Authorisation form
Further information on identity cards and their functions
www.personalausweisportal.de
Passport
General information on passports
For travels within the European Union, an ID card suffices for German citizens. Information on passport requirements for other countries can be requested at the foreign office (Auswärtiges Amt), your travel agency or the embassy of the relevant country.
Issue of a passport
The original application for a passport is completed in the presence of an employee of the Citizens' Office. Personal attendance is required as the application must be signed in person. In the case of minors, the application must be submitted by a legal guardian together with the minor. It is therefore essential that the declaration of consent from the other parent is completed, signed and brought along. It is possible to submit the documents for the second legal representative at a later date or at the time of application.
The following has to be submitted:
- a certificate of birth, descent or marriage, or the family register
- 1 current biometric photo
- the old ID card or passport, child ID card/passport
The application is sent to the Federal Printing Office in Berlin where the passport is manufactured.
A processing period of 6 - 8 weeks for a passport has to be expected.
Fee
A passport costs 70.00 EUR.
Express Passport
It is also possible to apply for an Express Passport which is manufactured within 3 days by the Federal Printing Office.
Fee: 32.00 EUR
48-page passport
For persons traveling a lot and therefore requiring more than the normal amount of pages, there is a 48-page passport.
Fee: 22.00 EUR
Child passport
The children's passport was abolished on January 1, 2024. Children's passports can therefore no longer be reissued.
Children's passports that have already been issued can be used until the end of their validity.
Alternatively, an identity card or passport can be issued for children. Identity cards and passports are valid for six years for persons under the age of 24. However, the Federal Ministry of the Interior points out that infants and very young children in particular change so much within these six years that identification with the original ID document is sometimes no longer possible even before the expiry date is reached. The ID document then becomes invalid prematurely. In this case, please apply for a new identity card or passport for your child in good time before you travel (source: Federal Ministry of the Interior). Further information can also be found on the website of the Federal Ministry of the Interior.
eID card
Citizens of the European Union as well as citizens of a member state of the European Economic Area can apply for an eID card at the corresponding community authorities.
For citizens of a member state of the European Union or a contracting member state of the European Economic Area Agreement who are not German citizens according to Art. 116 Sec. 1 Basic Law, a card with electronic identification function (eID card) will be issued on application.
The eID card is neither an identification document nor a passport but enables electronic identification for eGovernment services with highest level of confidence. Additionally it can be used for an on-the-spot data readout without media disruption to exchange form data in the presence of the parties involved.
Since the eID card is exclusively meant for online use but not as identification document or passport, it does not bear information like photograph, signature, body height or color of eyes. Particular information (e.g. address or citizenship) is only stored on the electronic storage media (chip).
Issuance of an eID card
The application for issuance of an eID card is prepared by an officer of the Citizens Advice Bureau. It is therefore necessary to visit the Citizens Advice Bureau in person.
The eID card can only be issued for persons as of 16 years of age and has a validity period of 10 years.
Please submit
- approved and valid foreign passport or ID card
- For persons not subject to registration in Germany: evidence of place of residence or address
The application will be sent to the Bundesdruckerei (Federal Printing Office) in Berlin where the eID card will be manufactured. The processing time for an eID card is approx. 2-3 weeks.
Fees
- Fee for the issuance of an eID card: 37.00 EUR
- For sending the PIN letter to a foreign address: reimbursement of corresponding costs
