Apply for a second passport

You must apply for a second passport in person:

• Make an appointment at your local citizens' office.
• Bring all the necessary documents with you to the appointment.
• The office staff will fill out the application with you on site. All you have to do is sign it.
• When applying, you are required by law to provide fingerprints for storage in the document (usually a flat print of the left and right index finger).
  • Persons who have not yet reached the age of 6 do not have to provide a fingerprint.
• You will receive information from your Citizens' Registration Office as to when you can collect your passport.
• You can authorize another person of legal age in writing to collect your passport.

Passport authority of the municipal or city administration

• You have a legitimate interest in having a second valid passport. This applies in the following cases, for example:
  • You travel a lot for professional reasons and need a second passport due to delays in obtaining visas.
  • You wish to travel to a country where you are likely to be refused entry because your passport contains entry stamps from certain other countries (for example, some Arab countries refuse entry if your passport shows that you have been in Israel).
  • You belong to certain groups of people:
    • the flying personnel of air carriers
    • seafaring personnel of maritime shipping companies
    • members of the civilian entourage and members of the NATO force status whose passport contains a status certificate

Notes: General reasons, frequent trips abroad or the mere possibility of needing a second passport in the indefinite future (e.g. "world traveler") are not sufficient as a legitimate interest. If your passport is already fully stamped with endorsements and you are planning further trips, it is recommended that you apply for a new passport; however, this is not a reason for applying for a second passport. Even if you already had a second passport, you will have to prove the reasons again when applying for a second passport. Whether your reasons are considered sufficient is at the discretion of the passport authority.

• previous passport or identity card
• A current biometric photo
• Proof of legitimate interest, for example:
  • written confirmation from the employer,
  • Booking confirmations,
  • flight tickets;
• if you are represented at the pick-up:
  • ID of the person collecting you,
  • power of attorney;

Notes: In individual cases (in some cities always for the first issue after a new arrival), you may have to submit further documents, for example civil status or citizenship certificates. This applies to a further issue if you only presented provisional proof of German citizenship when you first obtained your passport, for example the registration certificate from the Federal Office of Administration. Please enquire in advance at your local authority or administrative community.

Other possible costs:

• for a passport using the express procedure: an additional EUR 32.00 each
• for a temporary passport: EUR 26.00

The fees are doubled,

• if you apply for the passport outside official office hours or
• if you submit the application to a passport authority that is not locally competent. This applies to
  • Passport,
  • temporary passport.

• § Section 1 Passport Act (PassG)

• Complaint or appeal against the decisions of the passport authority to the superior authority or the State Ministry of the Interior
• Legal action before the administrative court

Incorrect information:

Anyone who attempts to obtain a second passport by providing false information may be fined up to EUR 5,000.

Fingerprints:

If an index finger is missing, the quality of the fingerprint is insufficient or the fingertip is injured, the flat print of either the thumb, middle finger or ring finger will be taken as a substitute. Fingerprints are only not taken if they cannot be taken for permanent medical reasons.

Minors:

In the case of minors (under the age of 18), the passport application must generally be submitted by both parents - insofar as both are entitled to custody. You can read more about this in the descriptions of the children's passport.

Express passport and temporary passport:

Is the regular processing time of 2 to 6 weeks too long for your travel plans? Then your passport authority can issue your passport using the express procedure. Passports applied for using the express procedure are usually ready for collection from the authority after 3 to 4 working days.

A temporary passport will only be issued if you are unable to receive your passport in time using the express procedure. You will receive this immediately when you apply, so you do not have to wait for it.

21.02.2024