Apply for a child's passport
Applying for a travel document for children under 12 at the local government office; valid for up to 6 years (nowadays, this is usually only available as a child’s passport for infants or a regular child’s passport, depending on the country).
How to proceed
- 1
Appointment at the City Hall with a child
The child must appear in person.
- 2
Consent of both legal guardians
In cases of joint custody, both parents must give their consent or sign the document.
- 3
Issuance of the document
The validity period is limited to a few years.
Required documents
- Birth certificateMandatory
- Biometric passport photoMandatoryOften forgotten
Responsible authority
The authority of your main place of residence is responsible.Find authority →
Fees
Varies by case
Processing time
approx. 1 weeks
Official: max. approx. 2 weeks
Online application
In person or by post
Common mistakes
- • The child was not introduced in person
- • The biometric photo does not meet the requirements for children
Common reasons for rejection
- • Consent from both legal guardians is lacking
The essentials before applying
Who is eligible?
Parents or legal guardians of minor children who do not have their own passport.
Income limit
The limit varies by household and region – see the table at the responsible authority or in the application assistant.
Processing time
Nationwide: approx. approx. 1 weeks
Success rate
approx. 98.0 % (estimate)
Most common mistakes
- •The child was not introduced in person
- •The biometric photo does not meet the requirements for children
Common reasons for rejection
- •Consent from both legal guardians is lacking
Alternatives
- Check related services in the application assistant
- Use social counselling before applying
If rejected
Read the decision carefully: often submitting missing documents or reapplying helps more than an objection.