Digital passport photos for ID cards and passports
The new legal regulation is intended to prevent manipulation.
New terminals for creating passport photos
Since May 1, 2025, only digital biometric passport photos may be used for identity cards and passports. Printed passport photos are no longer accepted.
Why does this regulation exist?
The change is intended to prevent forgery and improve the quality of biometric photos. It is intended to exclude manipulated or technically unsuitable images.
How to obtain a digital passport photo
You have two options:
1. Have your photo taken by a certified photo service provider
- The photo will be taken digitally.
- You will receive a QR code.
- The image will be encrypted and sent to the relevant authority.
- Present the QR code at your appointment.
- A printout is not required.
2. Have your photo taken directly at the Citizens Office or Service Office
- Photo terminals are available at all Citizens Office locations and at the Service Office for Immigration and Citizenship.
- The photo is taken on site.
- The terminals are self-service.
- The photo is transferred directly to the authority's specialist system.
- The image is not printed out.
- There is a fee for using the terminals.
- Staff are on hand to help if required.
How is the photo transmitted?
Digital passport photos are transmitted via a secure, certified infrastructure.
- End-to-end encrypted transmission
- Compliance with the requirements of the Federal Ministry of the Interior
- Technical security standards in accordance with BSI
- Access exclusively by the competent authority
The images are used exclusively for the respective identity document.
Frequently asked questions
The legal obligation has been in force since 1 May 2025.
Since then, the District Administration Office has been processing digital passport photos exclusively.
Paper photos are no longer accepted.
Yes. Printed passport photos are no longer permitted.
Yes. The prerequisite is that the provider is connected to the digital transmission system and provides you with a QR code.
You can take the photograph on site at the photo terminal.
No. The image will only be used digitally for your document.
The photo will only be processed for the purpose of creating the ID document. The transfer is encrypted. The federal data protection regulations apply.
The photo terminals are generally designed for biometric passport photos.
However, it can be difficult to take a suitable biometric photo at the terminal for babies, toddlers and younger children. Biometric images must meet certain requirements (calm facial expression, direct gaze into the camera, correct head position). This is not always possible with small children using the machine.
We therefore recommend that you have the passport photo for babies and younger children taken in advance at a certified photo studio or service provider. The photo is then transmitted digitally and retrieved via a QR code at the appointment.