How To: Things worth knowing about passports and stays in the US

We get a lot of questions about validity of passports for admission and stays in the US. This will not only be of interest to the travelers among you, but also all the green card and visa holders. We will today give you some valuable advice about passport processes in the US or what you have to do in case you lose your passport or it is being stolen in the US.

Who can issue a passport outside of Germany? The appropriate German diplomatic mission abroad will issue passports to German citizens upon request. For children under 16 with German citizenship, they can also issue child IDs.

How long is the processing time for a passport? Processing time for a passport is usually between six and eight weeks. As soon as the diplomatic mission abroad has received your complete application, they will forward it to the German Bundesruckerei (federal printing house). There your new passport will be machine-made. The diplomatic mission abroad has no influence on the Bundesdruckerei's processing times. So please make sure to apply for your new passport in good time.

Can my passport be extended? No, passports cannot be extended. So please make sure to apply for a new passport before your old one expires.

My old passport still states a German residence. Why do I need a deregistration confirmation for my new passport? Due to the obligatory registration in Germany, each citizen moving out of his or her old residence has to deregister with the appropriate registration office. In case you are moving your permanent place of residence abroad, the local diplomatic mission there can only issue you a new passport after they have seen you deregistration confirmation. You can obtain this easily and free of charge at your registration office, even after you moved away, or a second time in case you lose yours. Registration is not obligatory at the diplomatic missions abroad. So in case your last passport has been issued by a diplomatic mission abroad, you do not have to deregister there.

My old passport expires soon. What do I have to do in case I want to apply for a new one, but still need my old one too (e.g. because there is a valid visa in there or I want to keep it as a souvenir?) You do not have to hand in your old passport right away if you apply for a new one. In case you still need your old passport, you may first hand in notarized copies. As soon as your new passport is issued after 6 to 8 weeks, you will be asked to hand in your old passport. You will then immediately receive your new one. You will also get your old passport back, but only after it has been invalidated.

Please note: In case there is still a valid visa in your old passport, this will remain valid even after your old passport has been invalidated. The US consulates will not transfer the visas to your new passport, but you can still travel with them in combination with your new passport.

How can I pay the fees for a passport or child ID? If you apply by mail, your application should include a money order written out to the consulate or embassy at which you are applying. Please do not include cash in your application. If you apply in person, you can pay in cash (US Dollar) or via money order. Unfortunately, credit card payment is not yet possible.

Where can I have my signature or any of the other documents notarized? Please have all necessary documents notarized by a "notary public." They are frequently to be found in banks or law firms. Furthermore, you may have your documents notarized by a German honorary consul near your place of residence. Please note, however, that you will usually not be able to file passport applications there. In case you apply in person at the appropriate diplomatic mission, you may of course simply show all your original documents.

What kinds of passport photos are acceptable? For a passport or child ID you will need two identical photos (2x2 inches) that were taken recently. They have to be taken in a front-face position in front of a light background. Photos taken in profile with sunglasses or headdresses are not acceptable (headdresses worn for religious reasons are an exception). Please do not forget to write your first and last name on the back of your photos.

I got married in the US and would now like to apply for a new passport with my new name on it. What do I have to do? In case you got married in the US, this doesn't necessarily mean that your name has been legally changed in Germany. You can probably only be issued a passport with your new name after you and your spouse have submitted a declaration of your name change to the German registration office, e.g. via a consular official. Please contact your local German diplomatic mission before submitting your passport application.

My place of residence has changed, how can I get the new residence recorded in my passport? Please complete the "change of residence" form. After you have presented this form, your passport, your deregistration confirmation (in case there is still a German place of residence listed in your passport), a copy of your current valid residence permit for the US, documentation about your address in the US (e.g. lease agreement, electricity and telephone bill, US driver's license), the German diplomatic mission will be happy to change the address in your passport. The changing of your place of residence in your passport is completely free of charge. In case you submit your application by mail, add a money order over $15 for postal charges.

I am a tourist in the US and my passport was stolen, how can I return to Germany? Returning to Germany is possible with a passport, even an expired one, or with a usual Personalausweis (ID). In case you have neither a passport nor a "Personalausweis," your local German diplomatic mission may issue you the so-called "Reiseausweis als Passersatz" (travel document as substitute for a passport). If possible, please get a police report and complete a notice of loss. Before the "Reiseausweis als Passersatz" (2 passport photos required) can be issued, authorities will usually have to contact the registration office at your place of residence.

Therefore, it is advisable, to always carry a copy of your passport with you in your luggage. Please note that the "Reiseausweis als Passersatz" only allows you to return to Germany, not to travel to a third country.