General Information

There are two types of passports for minors:

1. Biometric passports can be issued from birth, regardless of age. Biometric passports for individuals under 24 are valid for 6 years and are printed at the Federal Printing Office in Berlin.
2. The Children's passport was discontinued on 1 January 2024. Children's passports issued or applied for before 1 January 2024 are generally valid until the printed expiry date.

All passports must be applied for in person (parents and child) by appointment. Extensions of German ID cards and passports of any kind are no longer possible. Since 26 June 2012, entries for children in their parents' passports are invalid and no longer entitle the child to cross borders. You can keep the existing passport or German ID card during the processing time if you have an urgent need to travel and the passport is still valid.

Important information for first-time passport applications: In some cases, a name declaration is required before applying for a passport. You can find more information here.

German ID cards can be applied for from the age of 16 without parental consent.

Please note that only complete passport applications can be accepted. Therefore, you should expect that incomplete applications will require a new appointment.

Required Documents

The following documents are required for the application:

(ORIGINAL documents and ONE COPY EACH, including the most recent passport and proof of residence)

• Application form (completed in block capitals in the child's name)
• The following signatures are required for the application:
  • For children born in wedlock, both parents must sign.
  • For children born out of wedlock, if both parents have custody, both parents must sign.
  • For children from divorced families with sole custody, the parent with custody must sign. Please attach the custody order.
• If one of the legal guardians is unable to appear in person, their appearance may be waived in exceptional cases, provided that the signature and passport copy of the absent legal guardian are certified (see also page 2 of the passport application). Important: Certifications can only be accepted if they are issued by a German honorary consul, a German diplomatic mission abroad, a notary public (with seal), or the police.
  Form for consent of absent parent for issuing a passport to a child
• Child's previous identity card/ children's passport, biometric passport, or German ID card, if available
• Child's birth certificate with parental details (If not in German or English: with a translation into German or English)
• Proof of German citizenship of the parent(s)
• If naturalization abroad (the parent(s) and/or child): foreign naturalization certificate and certificate authorizing the retention of German citizenship (“Beibehaltungsgenehmigung”)
• Otherwise, a VEVO printout (for parent(s) and child), which must not be older than two weeks
  Visa Entitlement Verification Online
• If applicable: Proof of other citizenships and their acquisition
• Valid passports and/or German ID cards of both parents
• Marriage certificate of the parents (If not in German or English: with a translation into German or English)
• If applicable: Divorce decree of the parents; Death certificate of the parent(s)
• Birth certificates of both parents (if not in German or English: with a translation into German or English)
• If applicable: Naturalization certificate of the child or the German parent(s)
• If the child or a parent has submitted a name declaration after marriage abroad, please bring the certificate of name.
• Deregistration certificate from the last German residence (only required if the last passport/ID card shows a German address. Not required if the child has never lived in Germany).
• Current proof of address for both parents (e.g., driver's license, rental agreement, utility bill)
• A self-addressed, stamped, waterproof envelope from Australia Post (preferably Express Post Platinum, Express Post with Signature, or Parcel Post with Signature) unless the passport is being collected directly from the Consulate General in Sydney or the Embassy in Canberra. Paper envelopes of any kind are unsuitable for sending passports due to the risk of damage during transport. Please note that German diplomatic missions abroad accept no liability for loss or damage during mailing or courier service delivery.
• Two identical, recent passport photos with a light background (biometric requirements apply to children aged 6 and older).

Passport fees

Please also see our general information on fees and payment options.