From May onwards, the doctorate in ID documents will be over. The title caused problems at border controls. Do I have to apply for a new ID card now?
Kassel – Many people with doctoral degrees may now be asking themselves, do I need a new passport? In response to apparently confusing information in German passports, the Federal Ministry of the Interior, led by Nancy Faeser (SPD), has now taken measures. The information in question concerns the entry of the doctoral title before the last name in the identity card and passport. On February 7, 2024, the Ministry of the Interior decided to introduce a separate field for the title in the documents with the regulation (document 66/24).
New regulation: Ministry provides information about the validity of existing documents
In response to a request from IPPEN.MEDIA, a spokeswoman for the Ministry of the Interior commented on the difficulties that have apparently arisen during border controls in other countries due to the entry of the doctoral degree in passports and ID cards in the past. She explained that the abbreviation “Dr.” before the last name is often mistaken for the first letters of the family name. However, since this abbreviation is not included in the name representation of the machine-readable zone, this could lead to delays in border controls.
For passport holders who have already entered a “Dr.” in their passport, the question now arises as to whether they need to apply for new documents. The ministry has a clear answer: “All applications for the issuance of a passport, identity card or travel document submitted from May 2, 2024 will be produced with the changed design. The validity of already issued passports, identity cards or travel documents remains unaffected by the design change.”
“Dr.” in identification papers: Anyone who now needs a new passport
For passport holders who want to prevent possible future travel difficulties, the ministry spokeswoman recommends applying for a new identification document. This will be possible at all municipal offices nationwide from May 2, 2024. However, it should be noted that existing visas and entry registrations are generally linked to the passport number. With a new passport, these become invalid and would also have to be applied for again, according to information from the Interior Ministry.
The Ministry of the Interior is planning further changes to identity documents: Have documents delivered directly to your home
The ministry plans to make it easier and faster for citizens to access new identification documents in the future. According to the ministry's plans, citizens should be reminded by email about the expiration of their documents if they wish. In addition, the requirement to submit a paper-based passport photo will no longer apply at the end of April 2025. Instead, self-service stations should be set up in authorities to capture photographs, fingerprints and signatures.
In addition, from May 2025 there will be the possibility of having passports and identity cards delivered by post directly to the applicant's domestic registration address. The issuance of digitally generated change stickers should also be simplified by eliminating the obligation to provide an official signature and date.
(sthe)