Passport
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Anyone travelling outside the European Union needs a passport.
Description
As entry requirements are often subject to change at very short notice, we cannot guarantee the accuracy of this information. It is therefore strongly recommended that you apply for the necessary passport in good time.
When crossing national borders, you are generally required to carry a valid identity document. However, for German nationals travelling within the European Union and to most holiday destinations, presenting an identity card is sufficient.
Note for frequent travellers: Frequent travellers can obtain passports with 48 pages instead of 32.
Express order Passports can also be ordered via the express service from the Bundesdruckerei. The processing time (from application to collection) is approximately three to six working days. You can apply for and collect your passport at any citizens’ advice centre within the city. In addition to the standard fee, a surcharge of 32 euros must be paid.
Provisional passport If you need your passport urgently and even the express service takes too long, you can apply for a provisional passport, which you can take with you immediately.
The provisional passport is valid for one year, but is not accepted by all countries (for example, the USA).
You must prove, or provide credible evidence, that you urgently need the provisional passport.
You can enquire about the specific travel requirements for individual countries at the Federal Foreign Office, a travel agency or the embassy of the country in question.
You can apply for the provisional passport at any citizens’ advice bureau within the city limits.
Important note
Appointment You must always appear in person to submit an application (including children). You need an appointment to visit the Citizens Office.
Note on passport photos From 1 May 2025, we will only accept certified digital passport photos.
Requirements
As a general rule, you can only apply for a passport at the passport office in your main place of residence.
The only exception applies to German nationals living abroad who are visiting Munich and urgently require a new passport. In this exceptional case, you cannot book an appointment at a citizens’ service centre, as the application is processed centrally. For information on submitting an application and booking an appointment, please use the contact form.
The passport office must verify both your eligibility to apply and the authenticity of your signature. Please present the relevant identity documents (identity card, passport).
Only persons who, as legal guardians, have the authority to determine the child’s place of residence may apply for a passport for a minor (i.e. a person under the age of 18) . The child must always be present when the application is submitted.
If both parents live with the child, it is sufficient for one parent to attend with a declaration of consent from the other parent. If parents with parental responsibility live apart, the parent with whom the child is registered as having their main residence may, as a rule, apply for the identity document without the consent of the other parent. The parent with whom the child is not registered as having their main residence may also apply for the identity document, but requires the consent of the other parent to do so. If one parent has sole custody, they may apply for the passport without the other parent’s consent, regardless of whether the parents live apart or together.
Required documents
- A recent biometric passport photo, sent digitally by a certified photography studio or chemist’s. Alternatively, you can use one of the photo kiosks at the Citizens’ Office for a fee. Please have the photo taken before your appointment and allow an extra 5 to 10 minutes to use the terminal.
- Identity document (previous passport, identity card, child’s passport – if available; for first-time applications, the child’s original birth certificate and, where applicable, proof of parental authority)
- For those under 18: identity card or passport of all persons with parental responsibility
- If required: a declaration of consent from the absent parent (available for download). Please sign the declaration of consent in the same way as you signed your identity document.
- Important: In cases of doubt, the passport office may request further documents (for example, custody orders, current civil status certificates, proof of German nationality). In such cases, you may need to visit the office in person again.
- The fees must be paid in full when submitting the application
Questions & Answers
For people under the age of 24, the identity card is valid for 6 years.
For people over 24, the identity card is valid for 10 years.
Yes, you may keep your invalidated passport if you wish. Please bring your old passport with you when you collect your new one. It will then be invalidated and returned to you.
If you need a passport urgently and even the express order would take too long, you can apply for a provisional passport, which you can take with you straight away. Please bring an additional biometric passport photo with you. The temporary passport is valid for one year, but is not accepted by all countries (for example, the USA).
- You must provide evidence or demonstrate that you urgently need the provisional passport.
- You can enquire about the specific travel requirements for individual countries at the Foreign Office, a travel agency or the embassy of the country in question.
- You can apply for a provisional passport at any citizens’ service centre within the city limits.
Yes, you can also apply for a passport for children. A passport is even compulsory when travelling to some countries.
Further information on passports for children.
You can find the latest information on this here.
Yes, this is possible under certain conditions and can be applied for.
The passport automatically becomes invalid upon death. You have the option of returning the passport to the registration office, where it will be invalidated and destroyed in accordance with data protection regulations. You may keep the invalidated passport if you wish.