- Passport lost or stolen - visiting Germany
- Passport lost or stolen - resident in Germany
Passport lost or stolen - visiting Germany
1. If your passport is lost or stolen you must immediately report this to your nearest police station and ask them to issue you with a statement of loss/theft.
Click here for contact details of police stations across Berlin. For police stations in other German states, enter "Polizei"and your current location into an Internet search. Bear in mind that English language interpreters are not always available at short notice: it may be advisable to bring a German-speaking person with you.
2. Contact the Embassy or your nearest Honorary Consulate for advice on obtaining an alternative travel document. Please note that the Honorary Consulates are not open outside of their public opening hours.
Minimum requirements to apply for an Emergency Travel Certificate or an Emergency Passport:
- Your original police report;
- Two passport photographs (you should find "Fotoautomats" inside shopping centres and in the main train stations - photos must comply with Passport Office requirements);
- Proof of your flight home;
- Evidence of your identity/citizenship. If you do not have alternative photo i.d. with you in Germany, you will need to ask somebody to bring your original long form birth certificate (and civil marriage certificate in the case of a married woman whose passport name is in her married surname), or an old cancelled passport, to a Garda Station in Ireland and fax a copy to the Embassy (fax: +49 30 220 72 299) or to your nearest Honorary Consulate;
- A fee of €30 for a travel document issued within working hours or €110 in cash for a travel document issued outside of working hours;
- Depending on your situation, we may require additional evidence in support of your application, including a fully witnessed application form, and additional proof of name and address.
Subject to fraud and security checks, and to maintaining the overall integrity of the passport service, this is a same day service during normal working hours.
Please bear in mind this service is not available outside of office hours except in case of emergency. You may need to arrange a new flight to allow you time to obtain a travel document. Your airline may accept a police report and another form of photo identification to allow you to return to Ireland. However, this depends on the policy of individual airlines. We strongly recommend that you contact your airline in advance.
3. If you are in an emergency situation requiring urgent travel (such as the death or serious illness of a family member)
Contact the Embassy, by phoning +49 (0) 30 220 720 (outside normal working hours). You will be asked to leave a message on the answering machine. The answering machine is monitored regularly and the Duty Officer at the Embassy will contact you as soon as possible. When you leave a message, remember to state your name, telephone number, the nature of the emergency, and your location. Please note that you may be requested to provide documentation relating to the emergency sitaution.
Passport lost or stolen - resident in Germany
If you are resident in Germany and your passport has been stolen or lost, you must follow the following steps:
1. Immediately report the loss/theft to your nearest police station and ask them to issue you with a statement of loss/theft.
Click here for contact details of police stations across Berlin. For police stations in other German states, enter "Polizei"and your current location into an Internet search. Bear in mind that English language interpreters are not always available at short notice: it may be advisable to bring a German-speaking person with you.
2. Apply online for a new passport (online applications do not need to be witnessed. The new passport will be sent to you from Ireland by registered post approximately 10-15 working days after you have applied online. Make sure to give an address where someone can sign for the passport during your normal postal delivery times).
3. If you do not meet the criteria for an online application (for instance, if you have changed your name since your last passport issued), or if you do not wish to apply online, apply to the Embassy for a new passport. For general advice, please see our step-by-step guide on applying for a passport.
All applicants must include:
- A completed and witnessed APS2 passport application form (email us your full postal address to request an application form - bear in mind that your witness must be resident in Germany);
- 4 Passport Photographs (2 witnessed; photos must comply with the Passport Office photo requirements);
- A copy of the photo page of your previous passport (if you have this);
- Your original long form birth certificate or a copy certified by a notary public. This must be included for all under 18s and for adults if you have lost your passport, or if applying for your first passport;
- Your civil marriage certificate (if you are changing your name).
With a view to preventing identity theft and the circulation of falsified passports, there are additional safeguards for the passport application procedure for those adults seeking to replace a lost or stolen passport. If your passport has been lost or stolen, you must also supply the following documents:
- Additional form of photo-identification; e.g. a certified copy of a driver's licence, work ID; student card; social club membership; passport from other country etc.;
- Evidence of entitlement to Irish citizenship, where applicable;
- Documentary evidence to show use of name, e.g. payslips; records of unemployment or disability payment; bank statement; college registration etc.; and
- Evidence of residency at the application address, e.g. utility bills; bank statements; official correspondence from public or private sector etc.
More information...
What should I do if I find a passport I had reported lost or stolen?