Passport - reapplying for a passport due to name change on divorce
Have you changed your name after the divorce? Then you must present your passport to the passport office as soon as possible. This is because a passport with your old name is invalid.
You must apply for a new passport in person. You need a passport, for example, if you
- want to travel to countries outside the EU
- Cannot fulfil your identification requirements with a valid identity card.
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
- You have German citizenship.
- Your name has changed, for example following a divorce.
- There must be no grounds for refusing to issue a passport, such as the assumption that you wish to avoid prosecution, enforcement of a sentence or a statutory maintenance obligation by leaving the country.
Procedure
- You must apply for your passport in person and submit the required documents.
- The application will be recorded on site at the passport office. You must provide a formally valid signature and complete the declaration of German citizenship.
- The submission of fingerprints (flat print of the left and right index finger) is required by law for the application. 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 will only not be taken if this is impossible for permanent medical reasons.
- After production, the passport is sent to the passport authority by the passport producer, Bundesdruckerei GmbH. Depending on the municipality, you will be notified as soon as you can collect your passport. The notification information from the passport authority usually also contains a form for authorisation to collect your passport. This allows you to collect your passport yourself or have it collected by an authorised person. The authorised person must identify themselves to the passport authority beforehand and present the authorisation form.
- You must hand in your old passport when you receive your new passport. If you wish, you can take your cancelled old passport back with you as a souvenir.
Deadlines
Period of validity
The period of validity depends on your age:
- under 24 years of age: Passport is valid for six years
- from the age of 24: Passport is valid for ten years
It is not possible to extend the period of validity of the passport.
Required documents
- old passport
- Certificate of change of name from the registry office or certified printout from the marriage register with current name
- a current biometric photo
Tip: Please enquire in advance at the passport office which other documents you may need to submit.
Costs
The fees for a passport for people aged 24 and over have increased as of 1 January 2024.
If you are under 24 years old, the fee is
- for a passport: EUR 37.50
- for a passport using the express procedure: EUR 69.50
From the age of 24, the fee is
- for a passport: EUR 70.00
- for an express passport: EUR 102.00
The passport has 32 pages. You can also apply for a passport with 48 pages. In this case, you will have to pay a surcharge of EUR 22.
The surcharge is EUR 32 for a passport using the express procedure.
The fee (without surcharges) is doubled if
- the passport has to be issued outside official office hours or
- the application is not submitted to the local passport authority (municipality of the main residence).
If you apply for a passport at a German embassy or consular mission, for example if you lose your passport, you will have to pay a surcharge of 31 euros.
Processing time
It can take up to eight weeks from the date of application before you can collect your passport from the passport office.
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
- You must report the loss or theft of your passport in person at a passport office or police station as soon as possible. The passport authority will issue a report of loss on request.
- You must also report the recovery of your passport in person at a passport office.
Legal basis
Passgesetz (PassG)
- § 4 Passmuster
- § 6 Ausstellung eines Passes
- § 11 Ungültigkeit eines Passes
- § 15 Pflichten des Passinhabers
Passverordnung (PassV)
- § 15 Gebühren
Release note
machine generated, based on the German release by: Innenministerium Baden-Württemberg, 17.07.2024