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Short answer: bring two identical, printed biometric photos, 35 x 45 mm, to your appointment.
- The German Missions in the US ask for "two identical biometric recent passport photos", for passports and ID cards alike.
- Don't cut them: bring the whole print. The mission writes "Please do not cut the photos yourself!" Our print sheet has six identical photos in a 3 x 2 grid on one 4x6 print, so the staff simply cut out the ones they need.
- A US passport photo (2x2 inch) is the wrong size. German photos are 35 x 45 mm, about 1.38 x 1.77 inch.
- The digital-only rule that started in Germany in May 2025 does not apply at missions abroad. Printed photos are still accepted.
The German biometric photo at a glance
The same photo works for the passport (Reisepass), the ID card (Personalausweis) and children's passports.
Why US passport photos get rejected. CVS, Walgreens and the post office make US photos: 2 x 2 inch, square, on a white background, with a smaller head. A German passport needs a 35 x 45 mm portrait photo with a larger head. Many US shops don't know the German format, and cutting a 2x2 photo down doesn't fix the head size.
Is there a photo booth at the German consulate?
The official pages of the German Missions in the US don't mention one: they ask you to bring your photos (checked November 2026). Applicants report that some consulates have a booth, but that it is often out of order.
"The photo booth is now upstairs and accepts credit cards $5 for a set. That worked fine..."
"When we were there in Feb+Mar 2024, it was out of order. They said it had been out of order for quite a while."
"Imagine getting in there only to find that the photo service is not operating for some reason. That's you done until you can book a new appointment and come back again."
Bring your photos even if your consulate has a booth. Appointments are hard to get, and without photos the application can't be taken. In New York, applicants also found the consulate's card payment down on the day of their appointment, while the booth still worked. Bring some cash in US dollars as a backup.
Renewing a German passport or ID card in the US
According to the German Missions in the US (germany.info):
In person, by appointment
- You must apply in person, because your fingerprints are taken. Applications sent by mail can't be processed.
- Book an appointment at the embassy or the consulate general for your area. Walk-ins are not accepted.
- Some honorary consuls also take passport applications.
- German passports can't be extended. Once yours expires, you apply for a new one.
What to bring
- Your current German passport or ID card.
- Two identical biometric photos, 35 x 45 mm, uncut.
- Proof of your US status: green card or US visa, or, as a US citizen, your US passport.
- Proof of address: US driver's license or a utility bill in your name.
- For an ID card: originals plus one photocopy.
- Some missions ask for a stamped return envelope. Your appointment confirmation tells you.
Children
- Both parents (or all legal guardians) and the child must be there.
- A parent who can't come gives notarized consent.
- The child needs the same two photos. For babies, see our baby photo guide.
Fees and processing time
| Document | Fee |
|---|---|
| Passport, age 24 and older (valid 10 years) | €106.00 |
| Passport, under 24 (valid 6 years) | €73.50 |
| Expedited passport | + €32.00 |
| ID card, age 24 and older (valid 10 years) | €89.00 |
| ID card, under 24 (valid 6 years) | €70.60 |
| Mailing the document back to you | up to $40 |
Fees are charged in euros by credit card (Visa or Mastercard), or paid in US dollars in cash or by money order. Checks are not accepted. Expect about 6 to 8 weeks for a new passport or ID card. Fees as listed on germany.info in November 2026; check the fee page before your appointment.
Accepted and rejected photos
Pose
- Face the camera, head straight, eyes open.
- Neutral expression, mouth closed.
- Hair away from the eyes. Both edges of the face visible.
Glasses and head coverings
- Glasses: no tinted lenses, no glare, frame not covering the eyes. Taking them off is easiest.
- Head coverings only for religious reasons, with the face fully visible from chin to forehead.
Common mistakes
- US 2x2 photo, or a 2x2 photo cut down to 35 x 45 mm.
- Photos cut out at home instead of the whole print.
- White background with a shadow behind the head.
- Selfie at arm's length: distorted face, uneven light.
Make the photos at home, print them at CVS or Walgreens
No need to find a studio that knows the German format. A standard 4x6 photo print is all you need.
Take the photo
Stand facing a window, in front of a plain, light wall. Ask someone to take the photo from about 5 feet away, at eye level. Our camera assistant tells you when your head is straight.
Automatic check and crop
The photo is checked against the German biometric rules (head position, eyes, glasses, lighting), cropped to 35 x 45 mm with the right head size, and the background is replaced with plain light grey.
Download the print sheet
You get one sheet with six identical 35 x 45 mm photos in a 3 x 2 grid, laid out for a single standard 4x6 inch photo print. That's enough for the appointment and a spare set.
Print a 4x6 and bring it uncut
Upload the sheet to the CVS, Walgreens or Walmart photo service and order one 4x6 print, often ready the same day. Order a standard 4x6 photo print, not a "passport photo" product. Bring the whole print to your appointment, uncut: the staff cut out the photos themselves.
Frequently asked questions
What size is a German passport photo?
35 x 45 mm (about 1.38 x 1.77 inch), portrait format, without a border. The head, from chin to top of the head, must be 32 to 36 mm tall. The same photo is used for the passport, the ID card and children's passports.
Can I use a US passport photo for my German passport?
No. US passport photos are 2 x 2 inch (51 x 51 mm) on a white background, with a smaller head. A German passport needs a 35 x 45 mm photo, and cutting a 2x2 photo down doesn't give the right head size.
How many photos do I need for a German passport renewal in the US?
Two identical, recent biometric photos. The German Missions in the US ask you not to cut them yourself, so bring the whole print. Our print sheet has six photos in a 3 x 2 grid, so the staff can cut out the two they need.
Does the German consulate have a photo booth?
The official pages of the German Missions in the US don't mention one and ask you to bring your photos. Applicants report a booth at the Consulate General in New York ($5 by card), and one in San Francisco that was out of order for a long time. Bring your own photos to be safe.
Do the German consulates in the US still accept printed photos after May 2025?
Yes. Since May 2025, offices in Germany only accept digital photos from certified photographers or their own booths. This rule doesn't apply at German missions abroad, which still take printed photos (checked November 2026).
Can I renew my German passport by mail from the US?
No. You must apply in person with an appointment, because your fingerprints are taken. German passports can't be extended. The new passport can be mailed back to you for a fee of up to $40.
Where can I print German passport photos in the US?
At any photo service that prints standard 4x6 inch photos, such as CVS, Walgreens or Walmart. Upload the print sheet with six 35 x 45 mm photos (a 3 x 2 grid) and order a regular 4x6 print, not a passport photo product. Bring the whole print uncut.
How much does a German passport cost at a consulate in the US?
As listed by the German Missions in the US: €106 from age 24 (valid 10 years) and €73.50 under 24 (valid 6 years), plus €32 for expedited service. The ID card costs €89 from age 24 and €70.60 under 24. Fees are charged in euros by card or paid in US dollars in cash or by money order.
How long does it take to get a German passport in the US?
About 6 to 8 weeks, according to the German Missions in the US. It can take longer for children if a name declaration is needed.
Do children need the same photos?
Yes, children need two biometric photos in the same 35 x 45 mm format. Both parents or all legal guardians and the child must come to the appointment, or an absent parent gives notarized consent.
Sources
The rules in this article come from the official pages of the German Missions in the United States. The photo booth reports come from applicants on Reddit and describe their own visits. Sources checked on 13 November 2026.
- Passport for adults (8 August 2023)
- Passport for applicants under 18 (9 January 2024)
- ID card for applicants over 16
- Passport and ID card fees
- NYC consulate and passport photos
- Do I need to bring passport photos to my embassy appointment?
Rules and fees can change. Your embassy or consulate general and your appointment confirmation are the final word.