What Happens to Your Original Passport Deposited in Your File with the German Authorities?

When you submit official applications in Germany – such as residence permits or naturalization – you may be asked to deposit your original passport with the competent authority (for example, the immigration office or the citizenship office). This procedure has legal and administrative reasons and often raises questions about what happens to the passport during the processing period.

Why is the original passport required to be deposited?

• Identity verification:
  To confirm the applicant’s identity accurately and without doubt.

• Data registration:
  To correctly record the applicant’s personal details in the official systems.

• Preventing parallel use of the passport:
  To ensure that the passport is not used for other applications or travel while the procedure is ongoing.

• Providing legal proof of presence in the country:
  The passport serves as an official document proving that the person is legally present in Germany.

What happens to the passport after it is deposited?

1. Safe storage
The immigration office or citizenship authority keeps the passport in a secure place for the entire duration of the processing.
The passport is not used for any purpose other than the administrative procedures directly related to your application.

2. No temporary use by the applicant
You are generally not allowed to use the passport for travel or for identity checks outside the context of the procedure unless you are explicitly granted permission by the authorities.

3. Possibility of issuing temporary replacement documents
In certain cases, you can request the issuance of a temporary travel document (such as a replacement travel document or a temporary travel permit) if you urgently need to travel.

4. Return of the passport upon completion or in emergencies
Your passport will be returned to you once the processing of your application has been completed.
In emergency situations, you can request the early return of the passport, explaining the reasons for your request.

Important tips

• Keep copies of the main pages of your passport (data page, visas, residence permits) before depositing it.

• Ask the competent authority about the exact rules and conditions for getting the passport back temporarily.

• If you need to travel during the processing period, contact the authorities as early as possible to submit a special request.

• Try to stay calm even if the process takes longer than expected – the authorities are legally obliged to keep your passport safe and to return it to you afterwards.

Conclusion

Your original passport, once deposited in your file with the German authorities, is stored securely for the entire processing period and used only for administrative purposes. After the procedure is completed, or in justified emergency situations, you can have it returned to you – provided you coordinate this in advance with the authorities to ensure that retrieval and use of the passport are as smooth as possible.

The authors and editorial team of this website strive to provide accurate information based on thorough research and consultation of multiple sources. However, errors may occur or some details may not be fully confirmed. Therefore, please regard the information presented in these articles as an initial reference only and always contact the competent authorities for final, officially verified information.