General Information

Travel documents and identity cards can only be applied for in person. Passports and German ID cards can no longer be extended. They are produced by the Federal Printing Office in Berlin. You may keep your current passport or identity card while your application is being processed, provided you need to travel and the document is still valid.

The validity period of a passport or German ID card is 6 years for applicants under 24 years of age, and 10 years for all other applicants.

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 your application:

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

• Application form (completed in block capitals)
• Current proof of address in Australia (e.g., Australian driver's license; utility bill; rental agreement)
• Two recent biometric passport photos
• Most recent German passport (not required for first-time applicants) and a legible copy of the photo page of this passport
• Birth certificate with parental details (if not in German or English language, also with a translation into German or English)
• If you are not an Australian citizen: A current VEVO (no more than two weeks old)
  Visa Entitlement Verification Online
• For married applicants: Marriage certificate/extract from the marriage register showing the married name, if applicable (if not in German or English language, also with a translation into German or English)
• Certificate of name change, if applicable
• German naturalization certificate, if applicable
• If naturalized abroad: foreign naturalization certificate and certificate authorizing the retention (“Beibehaltungsgenehmigung”) of German citizenship (if naturalized before 27 June 2024)
• If applicable: proof of other citizenships and their acquisition
• 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 sent directly to the German mission abroad. Paper envelopes of any kind are unsuitable for sending passports due to the risk of damage during transit. Please note that German missions abroad accept no liability for loss or damage during shipping via postal service or courier.
• Deregistration certificate from Germany (only required if a German address is still listed in your last German passport).
  • Germans who are habitually resident abroad must generally deregister at their last place of residence in Germany. Details are governed by the registration laws of the individual German states.
  • If you are still registered in Germany or your most recent passport still shows a residence within Germany, please contact your registration office in Germany well in advance of applying for your passport to avoid delays and additional costs. Clarify your registration status and submit a current registration or deregistration certificate. Please inform the registration office that you absolutely need this certificate to apply for your passport!
  • If you are still registered in Germany, a fee for lack of jurisdiction will be charged if you apply for your passport abroad!

First-Time Passport Application

If this is your first time applying for a German passport, the following documents are required:

(ORIGINAL documents and ONE COPY EACH)

• German passport(s) of your German ancestor(s)
• Birth certificates of your parents (if not in German or English language, please also provide a translation into German or English)
• If applicable, marriage certificates of your parents (if married in Australia, a “registered marriage certificate” issued by the Registry of Births, Deaths and Marriages)
• If applicable, your (Australian) naturalization certificate, as well as naturalization certificates of your German ancestors
• If applicable, proof from the Australian Immigration Department that you have not been naturalized in Australia; or a current VEVO
• If applicable, certificate of acquisition of German citizenship by declaration pursuant to Article 3 of the 1974 German Nationality Act (RuStAÄndG)

In individual cases, further documents or proof of authenticity (e.g., apostille, legalization, document verification) may be required.

Processing Time

The processing time for applications for biometric passports is approximately 6-8 weeks.

The processing time for applications for biometric passports with express processing is approximately 3-4 weeks.

Please note: These figures are only non-binding estimates. Processing times may vary in individual cases.

Passport fees

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