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If your child’s identity document (e.g. child’s passport, passport, identity card) is lost, you, as the child’s legal representative, are obliged to report this immediately to the passport office in your local authority (where you live). An identity check will be required there.
You must also notify the passport office if the document is found. As a new document is usually issued in such cases, this is essential, not least to prevent any problems arising from the use of these identity documents.
If a criminal offence has been committed, contact the local police station (see "Reporting a criminal offence to the police" under "Related topics").
Failure to report this to the passport office, or failure to do so in good time, constitutes an administrative offence which may be punishable by a fine.
Legal basis
- § Section 15 Passport Act (PassG)
Obligations of the holder
- Section 25 of the Passport Act (PassG)
Administrative offences
- § Section 15 Passport Act (PassG)
Further links
Notes
Under the Act on the Modernisation of the Passport, Identity Card and Foreign Nationals’ Documentation System, which was published on 12 October 2023, the child’s passport was abolished with effect from 1 January 2024. Consequently, child’s passports were only issued, renewed or updated up to 31 December 2023. The validity of child’s passports already issued remains unaffected.
German nationals – regardless of their age – can continue to apply for passports or identity cards valid for several years. Identity cards are recognised as travel documents within the EU and are sufficient for both adults and children. The passport allows visa-free travel for tourism purposes to 190 countries worldwide and ranks among the top in international comparisons.
Answers to the following questions can be found in the FAQ section of the website of the Federal Ministry of the Interior and Homeland (BMI):
• What identity document can I have issued for my child who is a German national?
• Why should the child’s passport be abolished?
• What do I need to bear in mind regarding travel documents for babies and very young children?
Under the Act on the Modernisation of the Passport, Identity Card and Foreign Nationals’ Documentation System, which was published on 12 October 2023, the child’s passport was abolished with effect from 1 January 2024. Children’s passports were therefore only issued, renewed or updated up to 31 December 2023. The validity of children’s passports already issued remains unaffected.
German nationals – regardless of age – can continue to apply for passports or identity cards valid for several years. National identity cards are recognised as travel documents within the EU and are sufficient for both adults and children. The passport allows visa-free travel for tourism purposes to 190 countries worldwide and ranks among the top in international comparisons.
Answers to the following questions can be found in the FAQ section of the website of the Federal Ministry of the Interior and Homeland (BMI):
• What identity document can I have issued for my child who is a German national?
• Why is the child’s passport being abolished?
• What should I bear in mind regarding travel documents for infants and very young children?
Link: https://www.bmi.bund.de/SharedDocs/faqs/DE/themen/moderne-verwaltung/reisepass/reisepass-faq.html;jsessionid=A489678D680A51F3181F3EF0DF1F72BA.1_cid504#
doc16125526bodyText2Failure to report the loss to the passport/identity card authority, or failure to do so in good time, constitutes an administrative offence which may be punishable by a fine.Even if you have reported your passport as lost, foreign authorities may not recognise a passport that has been reported as recovered for use in their country, or they may confiscate it. It is therefore recommended that you apply for a new passport if your passport is lost or stolen.
If you intend to use your identity card as a travel document, it is recommended that you apply for a new one. This is because, even after reporting that a lost document has been found, using a recovered document may lead to difficulties when travelling, as other countries may not recognise it or may confiscate it.