Refugee Passport

• Applying for and picking up your application in person at the municipality where you are registered. This also applies to children.
• You have a valid temporary or permanent residence permit, type III or IV document.
• A refugee passport is valid for up to 5 years. The exact period of validity depends on your residency status.

Applying for and collecting a refugee passport is by appointment only. To make an appointment, call the Customer Contact Center 0543 49 33 33 (you cannot make an appointment online).

When applying for your refugee passport

• A good-looking passport photo no more than 6 months old that meets the passport photo requirements.
• All passports and identity cards you still have. Even if they have expired.
• Your valid residence permit, type III or IV.
• If your refugee passport was lost or stolen abroad, take the foreign record with you.
• You pay directly at the time of application, preferably by debit card. The refugee passport will be ready for you after about six working days.

Additional take away for children under 18 years of age

• At least one parent or guardian must be present at the time of application.
• Written consent from both parents or the person with custody. Use the form provided by the municipality for this purpose. You can also both sign at the application in the town hall, then you do not need to bring a completed form.
• (Copy of) the proof of identity of both parents or the person with custody of the child.
• Children themselves must be present when applying for and collecting their refugee passports.

When picking up your refugee passport

• The takeaway.
• If applicable bring old documents with you, as this is stated on your pickup receipt.
• If the applicant is under 12 years of age, a parent or custodian must be present.
• Picking up must be within 3 months of your application, as after that the refugee passport will expire.

Do you need your refugee passport quickly? Then apply for it urgently before 2 p.m. You can usually pick it up the next business day after 10:00 am. You do have to pay extra for an urgent application. An urgent procedure is not always possible. It depends on your refugee status.

Fingerprints

The refugee passport will include your fingerprints. Make sure your fingers are clean. Paint residue and other dirt on your fingers can cause problems with fingerprinting. Children under the age of 12 do not need to be fingerprinted.

Traveling with children

Learn more about traveling with children.