In May 2025, the new regulations for taking photos when applying for passports, ID cards and electronic residence permits came into force. In future, photographs must be sent to the BürgerCenter and the Foreigners' Registration Office exclusively in digital form via secure electronic transmission channels.
Who is affected?
The implementation of the digital photograph affects applications for ID cards, passports, travel documents for foreigners, refugees and stateless persons, electronic residence permits and other documents. Paper-based photographs are no longer permitted for these official identity documents.
A printed photograph is still required to apply for a driving license.
Where can the digital photographs be taken?
Citizens can choose whether they would like to have their biometric photo taken at a certified photo studio or in the city of Salzgitter (Lebenstedt town hall and Salzgitter-Bad branch office). The photo service providers in the city of Salzgitter are informed and prepared.
The registered service providers - such as photo studios - can be accessed via the following link:
https:// (opens in a new tab) alfo-passbild.com/fotograf-in-der-naehe/
Certain dm stores also offer this service:
https:// (opens in a new tab) www.dm.de/services/services-im-markt/fotoservice/passbild-service-51462
How is the data transmitted securely?
The digital passport photos are transmitted directly and securely to the city of Salzgitter by the provider by uploading the photo taken to a secure cloud. The customer then receives a printout of a data matrix code (similar to a QR code), which the BürgerCenter or foreigners authority can use to find and download the photo in the cloud.
It should be noted in particular that no images on external data carriers (such as USB sticks) may be used.
Is digital photography also possible at the city of Salzgitter?
Yes, digital biometric photos for ID documents can also be created at the City of Salzgitter.
The capture devices from Bundesdruckerei (PointID® systems) have now been delivered and installed. A total of six devices are located on the first floor of the atrium of Salzgitter-Lebenstedt town hall. A PointID® system has also been installed in the Salzgitter-Bad branch office in the BürgerCenter Salzgitter-Bad area.
The PointID® systems can be operated completely independently by the applicant and provide information and instructions on how to take the photographs via built-in screens. The touchpad on the PointID® system reacts to touch and can be set in different languages at the beginning. The system automatically adjusts to the applicant's height when they look straight ahead at the screen.
The first step is to select the document type (field 1: ID card and/or passport, field 2: electronic residence permit and/or travel document). However, the device in the Salzgitter-Bad branch office cannot be used for documents issued by the Foreigners' Registration Office.
The applicant can then capture their facial image themselves by following the instructions on the screen (corresponding head movements). The recording process is completed by entering an individual date. With this date, the stored data can be retrieved by the customer advisor. Fingerprints and signatures are still captured at the workplace in the BürgerCenter and in the Foreigners' Registration Office.
When applying for ID documents for small children, problems may arise under certain circumstances, as the children cannot always reliably meet the requirements of the system (sitting quietly and maintaining a neutral facial expression). In such cases, it is advisable to have a biometric photo taken in a certified photo studio in advance.
What are the costs for creating the digital photo?
The costs charged by the certified photo studio must be enquired about directly.
Anyone who has their passport photo taken in the city of Salzgitter must pay a standard national fee of EUR 6 in addition to the basic fee for the respective document.
If the identity card and passport are applied for together, the fee for citizens is only charged once, i.e. per photo and not per document (also for electronic residence permits and travel documents). However, the fee must also be charged for the production of photographs for provisional documents.
Can paper-based photographs still be accepted?
The Federal Ministry of the Interior and for Home Affairs has decided that paper-based photographs may be accepted in exceptional cases until 31.07.2025. From 01.08.2025, paper-based photographs brought by citizens will no longer be accepted when applying.
Direct mailing for ID documents
From 01.05.2025, Bundesdruckerei will offer a fee-based mailing service for the ID documents you apply for. For a fee of
15 EUR, the ID document will be sent to you by post to the address of your main place of residence.
Requirements for direct mailing
- Registration address in Germany
- The postal item with the ID document may only be handed over to you personally. You must identify yourself with a valid ID document (ID card, passport) before handing it over at the front door.
- For ID cards, electronic residence permits and eID cards for EU citizens, the direct delivery option is possible after the 16th birthday.
- Passports can be applied for with the direct delivery option from the 18th birthday.
Who cannot use the direct delivery option?
- Authorized persons (e.g. spouses)
- Parents for their children's identity documents
- Direct mailing is not possible for passports that are applied for using the express order procedure.
Unlike driving licenses, identity documents are not sent by registered mail and delivered to your letterbox. Direct mailing of official identity documents generally involves handing them over to the applicant in person. If you are unable to receive the identity document yourself, you should not choose direct mailing. In these cases, please authorize a representative as usual, who can collect the ID document from the BürgerCenter or the Foreigners' Registration Office.
The postal delivery service will send you information about the expected delivery date by e-mail. SMS or other forms of communication are not permitted. If you are not at home at the time of delivery, the item with the ID document will be kept at the post office for collection for seven working days. If you do not collect the item with the ID document there within this time, it will be forwarded to your local authority. The ID document will be kept there until it is collected.