A Passport for Your Child
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General Information
The German Foreign Missions in Canada issue biometric passports for children.
As of November 1, 2007, a passport issued for a child will be valid for a maximum of 6 years.
European requirements have resulted in a major change in the German passport law: Starting June 26, 2012, child entries in the passports of parents will become invalid and no longer entitle the child to cross the border to another country. From this date on, all children require their own travel documents when traveling to other countries. This change, however, does not affect the validity of the parents' passports. They will remain valid without any restrictions.
Passport applications must be filed personally at the foreign mission responsible for your consular district during visiting hours.
Passport applications for minors are submitted by their legal guardian(s), usually both parents. If both parents share custody the passport application must be signed by both parents, or a certified declaration of consent must be submitted. Single custody must be proven with documentation on the court order.
If you are applying for a passport for your child for the first time, it may be necessary to provide a declaration of the child’s legal name.
More information about the Name Declaration procedure.
Biometric Passport or Children's Passport ("Kinderreisepass")?
It is possible to issue a child’s passport (Kinderreisepass) for a child up to 12 years old. However, since the child’s passport becomes invalid at the age of 12, the child must have a regular passport as of that date.
Due to the amended provisions regarding entry to the U.S., you should thoroughly consider applying for a German passport immediately instead of renewing a child’s passport.
Please also bear in mind that the child’s passport is not recognized by all countries. Before embarking on foreign travel, you should duly inquire whether the child’s entry and transit is even possible with a child’s passport.
Application Process and Required Documents
All legal guardians and the child have to appear in person at the German Foreign Mission in order to apply for a passport for a child.
Passport applications for minors are submitted by their legal guardian(s), usually both parents. If both parents share custody, the passport application must be signed by both parents, or a certified declaration of consent must be submitted. Single custody must be proven with documentation on the court order.
| The following documents are required to issue a German passport for a Child: | |
|---|---|
| 1. | Completed and signed application form. |
| 2. | One passport picture, good contrast. The picture must conform to the biometric passport requirements. |
| 3. | If applicable, old passport or child's travel document. |
| 4. | Birth Certificate/Birth Declaration/Déclaration de naissance/Degistration of Live Birth. If the applicant was born in Canada: The Longform Birth Certificate. |
| 5. | Marriage Certificate of parents |
| 6. | If parents were not married at the time of the birth of the child: "Registration of Live Birth" (issued by Vital Statistics/ Registry), or "Déclaration de naissance" (Québec). |
| 7. | Parents Passports |
| 8. | If applicable, the "Permanent Resident Card" of the child and the parents, or other residence authorization for Canada |
| 9. | Personal attendance of both parents/legal guardians, or certified declaration of consent of the parent who cannot submit the passport application in person. If not both parents are legal guardians: proof of single custody. |
| 10. | Proof of Deregistration (Einwohnermeldeamt) from Germany, if the address in the passport is still a German residence. |
| 11. | Fees: approx. Can$ 105,- (depending on the exchange rate). An additional fee of approx CAN $ 70,- will apply for the application at the honorary consul. |
| 12. | Photocopies (+ originals) or certified copies of the above mentioned documents. |
| 13. | Xpresspost prepaid enveloppe / regional standard # 142 200 for passport delivery by mail. Passports can be picked up in person only in exeptional circumstances. |
Documents which are not in German, English or French language have to be submitted in the original version along with a certified translation.
Name Declaration
If a child of German parents is born outside of Germany, the child' name is not automatically evident according to German law, even if in the foreign (e.g. Canadian) birth certificate of the child a surname is already indicated.
Children of parents who carry a common surname according to German law automatically receive the surnames of their parents. If the parents carry different surnames at the time of the birth of the child, a name declaration for the child is usually necessary, before you can apply for a passport for your child.
More information about the name declaration
Appointment Booking
Please note that you must book an appointment if you submit your application at the following foreign missions:
Passport application at the Consulate General in Toronto
Passport application at the Consulate General in Vancouver
Passport application at the office of a Honorary Consul
Passport applicants who must submit their application at the German Embassy in Ottawa do not need to book an appointment.
