German passport renewals from the US use the strict European biometric standard: 35×45mm, neutral expression, clean contrast, and adult face coverage of 70–80%. Bring two identical biometric prints to your in-person appointment.
Get Germany Photo — $6.99| Size | 35×45mm (1.38×1.77 in) |
| Adult face | 70–80% of photo height |
| Children | 50–80%; more tolerance under age 10 |
| Background | Plain, shadow-free, high contrast |
| Expression | Neutral, mouth closed |
| Quantity | Two identical recent prints |
Source: German Missions in the US
Germany uses the 35×45mm ICAO biometric format. A US passport print is too square and will not match the official crop.
Applications cannot be mailed in because fingerprints are collected at the German mission or participating Honorary Consul.
German Missions ask applicants not to cut photos themselves. Print a clean sheet and let the mission handle final trimming if needed.
| Requirement | Germany | US Passport |
|---|---|---|
| Photo size | 35×45mm | 2×2 in (51×51mm) |
| Face size | 70–80% of image height | 1 to 1 3/8 in head height |
| Expression | Neutral, mouth closed | Neutral or natural smile |
| Background | Monochromatic, shadow-free, strong contrast | White or off-white |
| Application | In-person fingerprint appointment | Mail, acceptance facility, or online renewal depending on case |
Book an appointment with the German mission that has jurisdiction over your US state. Bring your completed application, previous German passport, birth certificate, proof of residence, citizenship/status documents, and two biometric passport photos. Your fingerprints are collected during the appointment, and the passport is produced in Germany, so normal processing is usually six to eight weeks.
Fee add-ons can apply for 48-page passports, expedited production, outside-jurisdiction applications, Honorary Consul service, and return shipping. US-dollar cash amounts change with exchange rates, so confirm current payment instructions on your mission's page before your appointment.
German biometric checks are strict. Photos are commonly rejected when the face is too small or too large, the background has shadows or patterns, hair crosses the eyes, glasses create glare, the head is tilted, the mouth is open, the image is retouched, or the print is blurry. For children, Germany allows more flexibility than adults, but the child still needs to face forward with the full face visible.
Germany is a Schengen Area member, so a non-EU traveler who needs a visa to visit Germany — rather than renewing a German passport — applies for a Schengen visa through the German mission responsible for their US state of residence, or through an authorized visa application center. The photo standard is the same 35×45mm biometric format used for the passport: neutral expression, plain light-colored background, no glare on glasses, and a recent photo (usually within the last six months).
Most applicants also need proof of travel insurance, a cover letter explaining the purpose of the trip, financial documents, and an appointment booked well in advance of travel — German consulates in the US routinely have multi-week appointment backlogs during peak travel season. Since the visa photo spec is shared across all Schengen countries, see the full Schengen visa photo requirements guide for the complete checklist, including country-by-country appointment notes.
A German passport appointment needs physical prints, but you do not have to pay for an expensive retail passport package. Generate a compliant 35×45mm photo, place multiple copies on a standard 4×6 inch sheet, and print that sheet at a drugstore photo counter. Keep the sheet uncut unless your appointment instructions say otherwise.
Create German Passport PhotoComparing European formats? See the broader Schengen visa photo guide and the country photo requirements hub.