Identification and passport documents

Since November 1, 2010, the new ID card has been issued.
It has the convenient size of a credit card, and all data printed on the card is also stored digitally.
Additionally, the passport photo and, on request of the holder, also the fingerprints are stored
digitally. The new ID card also offers new functions and numerous possibilities of use in the online
world.

Further information on the ID card and its functions
www.personalausweisportal.de

General information about the ID card

When traveling within the European Union, German citizens only have to carry their ID card with
them. For all other countries, travel agencies or the embassy of the relevant country provide
information on whether travelers need to carry a passport.

Issuance of ID card

The application for the issuance of an ID card is filed by a registry office staff member. It is therefore necessary to appear at the Citizens Advice Bureau in person.

For applicants younger than 16 years, the application has to be filed together with a legal guardian. In such case it is obligatory to submit the Statement of Consent filled in and signed by the other parent. The other legal representative's documents may be handed in later, or submitted directly when filing the application.

The following documents have to be submitted:

• a (long form) birth certificate or marriage certificate (incl. translation, if applicable)
• 1 up-to-date biometric photo (not older than 1 year)
• the current ID card or passport, child passport

The application is sent to the Bundesdruckerei (Federal Printing Office) in Berlin, where the ID card is manufactured. The processing period for an ID card generally is 3 - 4 weeks.

Please note the following information for the collection of the ID card:

• it is obligatory to submit the old ID document
• if it is not possible to collect the ID card personally, the person collecting the ID card has to submit the signed Authorization Letter to Collect Documents below
• the person authorized has to prove his/her identity by submitting a valid ID card or passport

Fees

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

The children's passport will be abolished on January 1, 2024. Children's passports can therefore no longer be reissued, extended or updated from January 1, 2024.
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.

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