How to Renew a Passport for German Citizens in the U.S.
If you are a German citizen residing in the U.S., you will have to apply for a new German passport in the U.S. once your current travel document expires. While it is no longer possible to renew or extend the period of validity of an old passport, a German Mission will issue you a new passport. If you have not formally abandoned residency in Germany, though, you may not apply for a new passport in the United States. Instead, you will have to get your new passport in the German town you're registered with.
- Completed application form
- Two identical recent biometric passport-type photos
- Original and copy of your birth certificate specifying the exact place of birth (specifying the county does not suffice)
- Original and copy of your marriage certificate, if applicable
- Original and copy of your divorce certificate, if applicable
- Original and copy of your spouse's death certificate, if applicable
- Original German doctorate certificate and a copy thereof, if applicable
- Current or expired passport along with a copy thereof
- Original German confirmation of deregistration along with a copy thereof, if applicable
- U.S. Resident Alien Card along with a copy thereof, if applicable
- U.S. visa along with form I-94 and a copy thereof, if applicable
- U.S. passport along with a copy thereof, if applicable
- U.S. driver's license or utility bill, along with a copy thereof
- U.S. naturalization certificate and permission to retain German citizenship, along with a copy thereof, if applicable
- Passport fee
- For passport applicants under the age of 18 you'll need:
- Certified copy of the birth certificate
- Original current or expired passport/child's identification card or certified copy thereof
- Certified copies of both parents' passports
- Certified copy of parents' marriage license
- Certified copy of valid U.S. residency permit
- Certified copy of valid U.S. residency permit of German parent
- Statement of consent by parents on back of application form
- Naturalization document or permission to retain German citizenship, if applicable
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Instructions
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1
Download the passport application from the German Missions' website (www.germany.info) and complete the form.
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2
Have your two photos taken and ensure they meet the requirements as outlined on the photo sample sheet provided by the German Missions in the U.S. (see Resources). Note that the standard for German passport photos differs from that of the U.S. Ideally, you should show a print-out of the photo requirements to the photographer, and have a ruler handy to check the measurements of your face on the photos.
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Contact the appropriate German Mission to find out if an appointment is necessary to submit your application and have your fingerprints taken. Some consulates require previously scheduled appointments, while others accept walk-ins. If you are unsure which one of the nine German Missions serves your city of residence, consult the interactive consulate finder at www.germany.info for clarification.
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Take all of the applicable documents listed in the "Things You'll Need" section to the German Mission in your consular district. Submit the completed paperwork and have your fingerprints taken.
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Pay for your passport. As of 2010, the fee for a regular passport for applicants aged 24 and older is $110; applicants younger than 24 pay $78. The German Missions do not accept checks, debit or credit cards, so be sure to have cash or a money order ready.
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Be prepared to wait eight to 10 weeks to receive your passport. If you have paid for expedited processing, your passport should arrive within one week.
