Regardless of whether you are renewing an adult passport, a passport for someone between the ages of 12 and 18, or a passport for someone under the age of 12, you'll need the following:
- a completed German passport application form
- two identical passport photos
- a certified copy of a birth certificate
- a passport fee
- a naturalization document or permission to retain German citizenship, if applicable
- a certified copy of valid U.S. residency permit
In all, there are actually five distinct types of German passports:
- a regular German passport valid for 10 years for applicants 24 years or older
- a regular German passport valid for six years for applicants aged 18-24
- a regular German passport valid for six years for applicants aged 12-18
- a child's passport valid for six years for children up to the age of 12
- a temporary passport expedited and issued in case of emergencies
The required documents for applicants over the age of 18, however, are identical and there is no need to renew a temporary passport.
For an adult passport, these documents are necessary for renewal:
- a current passport, or certified copy
- a certified copy of marriage license, divorce certificate or death certificate of your spouse, if married, divorced or widowed
- a certified copy of your German doctorate certificate if you want it listed on your passport
- a copy of your driver's license, or a utility bill, to establish your U.S. address
- if your current passport lists a former, German residence, then you'll need a certified copy of the confirmation of deregistration from the German place of residence
For applicants aged 13-18, and to renew a child's passport, these forms will be needed:
- a statement of consent signed by parents of the applicant on the reverse side of the application form
- certified copies of passports of both parents
- a certified copy of parents' marriage license
- a certified copy of a valid U.S. residency permit of the German parent
And in addition to those directly above, to renew a child's passport, the following document may be necessary:
- the family register, if the parents were married in Germany
To renew a German passport within the United States, applicants must file an application with the appropriate consulate. As of November 1, 2007, all German passports contain a chip storing the holder's fingerprints. Therefore, passport renewals cannot be processed by mail, rather, applicants must travel in person to one of nine consulates. The Web site of the German Missions in the United States hosts a map with a list of regions and the location of each region's consulate. Some consulates require appointments to apply for a German passport. Be sure to check with yours before you arrive.
The fees for German passport application are as follows. German consulates accept cash or money orders, but no credit cards or checks:
Regular German passport valid for 10 years--72 Euros, $107.00
Regular German passport valid for sox years--50.50 Euros, $75.00
Temporary Passport--39.00 Euros, $60.00
Children's Passport--26.00 Euros, $42.00
Dollar figures are current at publication, but fluctuate with the exchange rate. To have your passport mailed to you costs an extra $18.00. For frequent travelers, passports with additional pages can be ordered at a higher rate.
The processing time for a German passport is approximately eight to ten weeks. For an additional surcharge, processing can be expedited to two to four weeks.
