A Reisepass (passport) is an official document issued by your country of origin. It proves your identity and nationality. It is also called a "pass".
If you travel to another country, you usually need a valid passport. If you are from an EU country, you can travel within the Schengen countries using only your national ID card.
Substitute travel documents (for example, the "Reiseausweis für Ausländer" ("Travel Document for Foreigners")) are not passports. They are only replacements if you do not have a passport.
You can only apply for a passport at the embassy or the consulate general of your country of origin. This is the country of your nationality. Almost every country has an embassy or a consulate general in Germany.
To get a passport, you usually have to prove your identity (for example, with your expired passport or your birth certificate).
The appearance of a Reisepass (passport) depends on the country that issued it. Normally, it contains the following information:
- name and gender
- date and place of birth
- height and eye color
- nationality and place of residence
It also includes a passport photo, the signature, the date of issue, the expiration date, the passport number, and the issuing authority.
© Bundesministerium des Innern
