Domain: Consular Services and International Public Administration (German Foreign Office)
Persona: Senior Consular Affairs Analyst
Abstract:
This document provides a detailed outline of the official fee schedule and associated administrative costs levied by German diplomatic missions (Auslandsvertretungen) in the United States for the issuance of German passports and national identity cards (Personalausweise). It specifies mandatory payment methods (Visa/Mastercard, USD cash, money order) and the mechanism for currency conversion based on the mission’s daily exchange rate. The fee structure differentiates between applicant age, document features (e.g., 48-page passports), expedited processing, and non-jurisdictional applications (Unzuständigkeitsgebühr). Separate itemized fees cover the management of the eID-Funktion and mandatory return postage costs.
Summary of German Consular Service Fees for Identity Documents in the USA
Payment Requirements: Fees must be settled on the day of application. Accepted forms of payment are Euro via Visa or Mastercard credit card, or USD via cash or money order. Payment in Euro cash and personal checks are explicitly rejected.
Currency Conversion: Fees are denominated in Euros, and USD payments are converted using the diplomatic mission’s current daily exchange rate due to continuous currency fluctuations. Credit card transactions are processed in Euro.
Passport Fees (in Euro):
Standard Adult Passport (≥ 24 years): €101.00.
Standard Minor Passport (< 24 years): €68.50.
48-Page Passport Surcharge (instead of 32 pages): Plus €31.00.
Non-Jurisdictional Fee (Unzuständigkeitsgebühr): Up to €70.00 (applied if the applicant maintains a residence registration in Germany or applies outside their competent consular district).
Change of Residence (Wohnortänderung): Fee-exempt.
Identity Card (Personalausweis) Fees (in Euro):
Minor ID Card (< 24 years, 6-year validity): €52.80.
Adult ID Card (≥ 24 years, 10-year validity): €67.00.
eID Function Management Fees (ID Card):
First-time eID activation (upon collection or after age 16): Fee-exempt.
Blocking (due to loss/theft): Fee-exempt (Sperrhotline available).
Unblocking: €12.00.
Non-Jurisdictional Surcharge (ID Services):
An additional €13.00 is added to all fee-based identity card services (excluding unblocking) if the application is handled by a mission lacking jurisdictional competence.
Postage Costs (Auslagen):
If return shipment of the completed document is requested by mail, an additional outlay of up to $40.00 USD applies. Rates are higher for shipping to Bermuda ($60.00 USD) and the Bahamas ($65.00 USD).