Passport

Since November 1, 2007, two fingerprints (usually the two index fingers) have been stored in addition to the digital passport photo on the chip in the electronic passport (ePassport). The submission of fingerprints is mandatory from the age of 6.

In the case of permanent medical restrictions, an ePassport can also be issued without fingerprints if necessary.

The fingerprints are only stored on the chip in the ePassport. They are deleted by the Federal Printing Office and the local authority immediately after the ePassport has been completed or issued!

You do not need to fill out a form in advance. The application is recorded at the registration office and sent to the Federal Printing Office in Berlin for further processing.

The finished passports are issued at the information and collection desk in Town Hall B, room B015. Please bring your "old" passport with you.

You will need the following documents

• your identity card
• if available, the old passport
• the last civil certificate (birth or marriage certificate) if no identity documents have yet been issued for you
• Your personal presence is required
• A digital photograph. From May 1, 2025, only digital photographs may be used for ID cards and passports. These can be taken on site at the ID card terminal or at participating service providers.

Information on passport photos:

You can use the ID card terminal to create the biometric photo and scan your signature. This saves time and money. Use of the terminal costs 6.00 euros.

Please note:

Application in Germany at the main place of residence

Passport

Validity:

up to the age of 24: six years
from the age of 24: ten years

Delivery time: approx. four weeks

Attention: There are currently and probably throughout the year delivery problems with passports. Delivery currently takes 8-10 weeks!

Upon completion, a notification will be sent that the passport is ready for collection. This does not apply to express passports.

Express Pass

If the application for the ePassport cannot be made in time, it is possible to apply for an express passport. Bundesdruckerei offers an express procedure in which the ePassport is delivered within three to four working days.

Temporary passport

If even the application for the express passport cannot be made in time for your trip, the issuance of a temporary passport is possible. Upon presentation of appropriate evidence (for example, airline tickets/travel documents), a temporary passport will be issued, which is valid for a maximum of one year. An extension is not possible.

Note: Visa-free entry to the USA is not possible with the temporary passport.

48-page passport

This is especially interesting for frequent travelers, as there are 48 pages for entries instead of the normal 32.

Citizen Services

City Hall B, Room 015

Tel.: 05361 28-1234

Fax: 05361 28-2090

Send an e-mail to the service center

Appointments are offered by appointment only. Please use the online appointment reservation.

You can also use this service in the administrative, local and district offices.

Current note on the vacation season:

Your bags are already packed and you realize that your passport has expired? If it has to happen very quickly and going to the town hall is no longer possible, the Federal Police can issue you with replacement papers.