Procedure descriptions
Passport - applying for a second passport
Under certain conditions, you can obtain a second passport.
A second passport is valid for six years. If you have a temporary passport issued as a second passport, it is valid for a maximum of one year.
Responsible department
The passport authorities in Baden-Württemberg are
- the municipalities as local police authorities
- the administrative communities, which perform or fulfil the tasks of the registration authority.
As a rule, the citizens' bureaux or citizens' offices there fulfil the tasks of a passport authority.
The passport authority in whose district you are registered with your home, or your main residence if you have more than one home, is responsible for you.
Important:
Your application for a passport must also be processed by a passport authority in your home country that is not locally responsible if you can provide an important reason. A passport may only be issued with the authorisation of the locally competent passport authority.
Details
Prerequisite
The prerequisite is a legitimate interest in holding a second passport. This applies in the following cases, for example:
- You travel a lot for professional reasons. You need a second passport due to delays in obtaining visas.
- You would like to travel to a country that may refuse you 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.
The following are not considered legitimate interests
- general reasons
- frequent trips abroad alone
- that your passport is already fully stamped with visa endorsements
Note: Even if you already had a second passport, you will have to prove the reasons again when the new passport is issued.
Whether your reasons are considered sufficient is at the discretion of the passport authority.
Procedure
You must apply for a second passport in person at the passport authority in your main place of residence and explain the reasons for your application in writing.
The application will be recorded on site at the passport authority. You must provide a formally valid signature and complete the declaration of German citizenship.
If you are a German national whose main residence is abroad (German national living abroad), you can apply for a passport at the diplomatic mission abroad in whose district you usually reside. The responsible diplomatic mission abroad is determined by the Federal Foreign Office. You can also apply for a passport at any passport authority in Germany. This passport authority will process your application as a non-competent authority if you present an important reason. Such a reason exists, for example, if you claim that the journey to the competent diplomatic mission abroad is considerably longer than to the passport authority without jurisdiction. Please note that in these cases the authorisation of the competent diplomatic mission abroad must be available for processing and an appointment is often necessary for the application.
When you apply, your fingerprints will be taken, one flat print of the left and one of the right index finger. Children under the age of 6 will not be fingerprinted.
Please note: If an index finger is missing, the quality of the fingerprint is insufficient or the fingertip is damaged, another fingerprint will be taken instead. Fingerprints are only not taken if they cannot be taken for permanent medical reasons.
Some municipalities will notify you as soon as you can collect your passport. You can also authorise another person in writing to collect your passport. The administration's notification card usually contains a form for this purpose. The authorised person must present the power of attorney and their own ID when collecting the passport.
Deadlines
The period of validity of a regular passport as a second passport is six years.
If you have a temporary passport issued as a second passport, it is valid for a maximum of one year.
Required documents
- previous passport
- a current biometric photograph in passport format 35 x 45 mm. Only frontal photos are permitted, no half profiles.
The face must be recognisable in the centre of the photo. The eyes must be open and clearly visible. - Proof of legitimate interest, e.g. written confirmation from the employer, booking confirmations, flight tickets
Note:
The biometric photographs must comply with the relevant formal requirements. The photo sample table for identity documents provides assistance in this regard.
Attention:
- Further documents may be required for the first issue (in some municipalities also for the first issue after immigration), such as civil status certificates.
- When German nationals from abroad apply at a passport authority in Germany (non-competent authority), further documents may have to be submitted.
Tip: Enquire in advance at the passport authority about the documents required in your individual case.
Costs
The fees for a passport for people aged 24 and over have increased as of 1 January 2024
- Passport with 32 pages:
- Persons aged 24 and over: EUR 70.00
- Persons under 24 years of age: EUR 37.50 Euro
- Passport with 48 pages (surcharge: EUR 22.00):
- Persons aged 24 and over: EUR 92.00
- Persons under 24 years of age: EUR 59.50 Euro
- Express passport (surcharge: EUR 32.00) with 32 pages / 48 pages:
- Persons aged 24 and over: EUR 102.00 / EUR 124.00
- Persons under 24 years of age: EUR 69.50 / EUR 91.50
- The fee for a passport with 32 pages is doubled, if the issue is not applied for at the local passport authority. It is for persons:
- aged 24 and over: EUR 140.00
- under 24 years of age: EUR 75.00.
If you apply for a passport at a German embassy or consular mission, you will have to pay a surcharge of EUR 31.00.
Processing time
It can take up to eight weeks from the date of application before you can collect your regular passport from the passport office.
The temporary passport is issued immediately by the relevant passport authority.
It is recommended that you apply for your passport in good time before travelling.
If you need your passport more quickly, you can also apply for it using the express procedure. A surcharge is added to the fee for this.
If the express application is received on time, your passport will usually be ready for collection from the passport office on the following third working day (Monday to Friday, excluding public holidays).
Miscellaneous
- If you attempt to obtain a second passport by providing false information, you will be fined.
- You must report the loss or theft of your passport in person at a passport office or police station as soon as possible. You can find details on this in the service "Passport - applying for a replacement due to loss".
- You must also report the recovery of your passport in person at a passport office.
Legal basis
Passgesetz (PassG)
- § 1 Passpflicht
- § 5 Gültigkeitsdauer
- § 6 Ausstellung eines Passes
- § 15 Pflichten des Inhabers
- § 19 Zuständigkeit
- § 25 Ordnungswidrigkeiten
Passverordnung
- § 15 Gebühren
Release note
machine generated, based on the German release by: Innenministerium Baden-Württemberg, 17.07.2024