Berlin (dpa/tmn)
In the course of holiday planning, parents not only have to think about their own travel documents, but also about the travel documents for their children – and in good time. We have summarized the most important points.
For many families, vacation planning for 2023 is in full swing – or has already been completed. But booking the trip is not enough: you should also check in good time whether you have the necessary identification documents for the holiday country. This applies in particular to children’s passports. Otherwise, in the worst case, your holiday will end upon arrival.
The fact is: Children grow quickly and especially when they are smaller, their appearance can change enormously in a comparatively short time. This can affect the validity of the documents. What do parents have to consider? Here are answers to important questions:
Which ID cards can I apply for for the child?
Parents can choose between an identity card, a children’s passport and a normal passport for their offspring – just like there is for adults. Please note: A children’s passport is only available for children under the age of twelve.
Children’s entries in the parents’ passports have not been valid for ten years, like the ADAC explained. This also applies to travel within the EU. Every child, regardless of age, needs their own travel document if they want to travel abroad.
How long are children’s travel documents valid?
Newly applied for child passports are only valid for one year. For all children’s passports issued before 2021, however, the validity entered therein applies. The documents can be extended within this period of validity.
Identity cards and passports for children are valid for a maximum of six years. Where there is a catch:
The appearance of infants and small children in particular can change so much within six years that they can no longer be clearly identified with the original ID document. In this case, the card would be prematurely invalid, the Federal Ministry of the Interior states in its FAQ to passports online clear.
If the child now looks significantly different than on the passport photo, you should therefore play it safe and apply for a new ID card or passport in good time before you travel.
For children’s passports, passport photos and external features such as eye color and size can be adjusted at any time as long as the passport is still valid. An update fee will be charged for this. But be careful: In South Africa, extended children’s passports are not accepted upon entry, writes the Foreign Office. If the document has not been extended or updated, entry is possible with it without any problems.
When is which pass sufficient?
With an identity card, you can easily travel with your children within the European Union. However, if a trip outside the EU is planned, the child usually needs a children’s passport or a conventional passport.
And as the example of South Africa shows: you should find out exactly which travel document you need. That’s what the online ones are for Travel and Safety Advice from the Federal Foreign Office for the respective holiday destination is a reliable source.
Example USA: For a planned trip to the United States, the child should have a normal passport. If it only has a children’s passport, it needs a visa. The much easier to obtain electronic entry permit (Esta) can only be applied for with a passport – this also applies to the little ones.
Where do I apply for child passes and how much do they cost?
You can apply for all documents at the Citizens’ Registration Office at the child’s place of residence. If the child has more than one place of residence, it is advisable to apply at the main place of residence. Elsewhere higher fees apply.
A normal passport costs 37.50 euros for anyone under the age of 24, and 69.50 euros for an express issue within a few working days. An identity card costs 22.80 euros for children. A children’s passport is available for 13 euros. If you want to extend or update the children’s passport, you have to pay 6 euros.
How much advance notice and what documents do I need?
In any case, a biometric passport photo is required. You can find out which documents are still required for the application on the homepage of the Citizens’ Registration Office. The responsible office can be found, for example, at the so-called authority finder.
If you need an ID card or a passport, you should allow plenty of time. In some places, appointments cannot be obtained quickly from the office. After the application, it usually takes at least two weeks before the documents can be picked up. Or you pay the extra money for the express version.
If you are in a hurry, you should apply for a children’s passport. You can take it with you immediately after submitting your application. Provided, of course, that you travel to a country where this passport is accepted.
