General Information

The Embassy in Abuja issues passports to German nationals who are resident in the following states of Nigeria: Adamawa, Benue, Borno, Federal Capital Territory, Gombe, Jigawa, Kaduna, Kano, Katsina, Kebbi, Koggi, Kwara, Nassarawa, Niger, Plateau, Sokoto, Taraba, Yobe, Zamfara.

The Consulate General in Lagos issues passports to German nationals who are resident in the following states of Nigeria: Abia, Akwa-Ibom, Anambra, Bayelsa, Cross River, Delta, Ebonyi, Edo, Ekiti, Enugu, Imo, Lagos, Ogun, Ondo, Osun, Oyo and River.

Application

Both the German Embassy in Abuja and the German Consulate General in Lagos require pre-booked appointments for passport matters. Please make sure to book your appointment using our booking system.

Booking system Embassy in Abuja

Booking system Consulate general in Lagos

If you cannot keep an appointment and wish to cancel it, please inform us through our contact form.

Required documents

All documents must be submitted in the original with a copy at the time of application. This also applies if the same documents have already been submitted to the Embassy or the Consulate for another purpose. Documents which are not in German or English must be accompanied by a German translation by a recognised translation agency.

• A duly completet application form for an identity card
• Two identical, recent and biometric passport photos (format: 35 x 45 mm). You can find more specifications here
• Current passport
• If available, current identity card
• Proof of legal residence in the host country (visa, residence permit, for dual nationals: Nigerian passport)
• Confirmation of deregistration from your last German domestic residence (Attention: If you are still resident in Germany, authorisation from your home authority is required before the identity card can be issued).
• Proof of residence (e.g. employer's confirmation)
• Birth certificate
• If applicable, marriage certificate,

Please note that additional documents may be required in individual cases. You will then be asked to submit them when or after submitting your application.

Fees

The fees for the issuance of a new identity card are set in Euros worldwide, whereby the deposit must be made in the local currency (Nigerian Naira). The conversion is done at the exchange rate of the day, which can be obtained from the Consulate General or the Embassy. At the Consulate General in Lagos, the fees can only be paid with POS. The Embassy in Abuja exclusively accepts cash payments. ​​​​​​​

Base fee and surcharge for applications filed abroad are being charged for all applications.

The surcharge for lack of jurisdiction is being charged if the applicant is still registered in Germany with an official residence.

Storage of biometric data

The identity card with the contactless, electronic chip is a multifunctional card in cheque card format. At the applicant's request, fingerprints can be stored on the chip of the ID card - in addition to the photograph - as a further biometric security feature. These biometric security features may only be read by sovereign authorities (e.g. border officials, police). You must make a declaration when applying whether you want this or not. You will not suffer any disadvantages if you do not have your fingerprints recorded on your identity card.

Online ID card function

New ID card holders will automatically be provided with an electronic ID card function on their ID card. This enables you to identify yourself in internet applications and machines that support the online ID card function (recognisable by the ID card logo), e.g. when shopping online or booking services. Detailed information on these functions is available from the Federal Ministry of the Interior. Please note that the online ID card function cannot be switched off. Information on the online ID card function, can be found on the website for National ID-cards and in brochure.

The applicant must appear in person for all amendments requiring the entry of the secret number (PIN). This includes, in particular, resetting the PIN (this also includes replacing the initial transport PIN with a new PIN) and unblocking an identity card.

PIN letter

Every applicant who is older than 15 years and 9 months at the time of application will receive a PIN letter from Bundesdruckerei containing the so-called secret number (PIN), the unblocking number (PUK) and a blocking password.

If you are no longer registered in Germany, the PIN letter will be handed over to you personally by the Consulate General Lagos or the Embassy Abuja.
If you are still registered in Germany, you can have the PIN letter sent either directly to your registration address in Germany or to the passport/identity card office of the Consulate General or the Embassy.