Applying for a German passport

All applicants for a German passport must appear in person. We will send the completed application with biometric information to the German Consulate General in New York for processing. The applicant will receive the new passport by FedEx.

The applicant must bring the passport application form and two passport photos made for a German passport. The applicant must also bring all required original documents plus two simple photocopies of each document. We will certify the copies. Please copy each document on its own page, single-sided, and do not staple any copies or application forms.

Required documents include the applicant’s current German passport, birth certificate, and driver’s license or utility bill showing residence in the consular district (Pennsylvania, New Jersey, or New York).

Additional required documents depend on the applicant’s circumstances, and include one’s marriage certificate, name declaration certificate, U.S. green card, German certificate of citizenship/naturalization, Beibehaltungsgenehmigung with U.S. certificate of naturalization, U.S. certificate of citizenship, U.S. passport, and Abmeldebescheinigung.

A name declaration is required for a child whose parents do not share the same surname. A name declaration is also required if a spouse is changing a surname based on a marriage. If the applicant has been divorced and needs a name declaration, it may be necessary to first obtain German recognition of the foreign divorce.

Normal processing time for a passport application is about six to eight weeks. With express handling for an additional fee, the processing time is about three to four weeks.

Please contact our office by telephone or email to schedule an appointment.