As a rule, no one may hold more than one valid German passport. An exception applies if you can prove a legitimate interest in a second passport.

A legitimate interest exists, for example, if you

• want to travel to a country that is likely to refuse you entry because your passport shows that you have stayed in certain other countries.
• work for an airline or a shipping line.

Whether your reasons are considered sufficient is at the discretion of the passport authority.

The following reasons are not sufficient:

• general desire
• frequent trips abroad
• the mere possibility that you will need a second passport in the indefinite future, for example for a planned trip around the world

If you already had a second passport, you must provide evidence of justified reasons each time you apply for a new one.

If your passport is already fully stamped with endorsements before it expires and you are planning further trips, you must apply for a new passport.

• Previous passport or identity card
• Biometric digital passport photo: taken on site at the authority or by a registered domestic photo service provider (photographer)
• Proof of your legitimate interest, for example
  • written confirmation from the employer
  • Booking confirmations
  • flight tickets
• You may need to submit further documents, such as civil status certificates.
• If you wish to be represented at the pick-up, the representative will need
  • their own identification document, i.e.
    • identity card
    • passport or
    • provisional versions
  • power of attorney