As of: April 1, 2024, 6:00 a.m
By: Stella Henrich
Comments
Press
Split
Interior Minister Nancy Fiber wants to make citizens' lives easier and more digital. This particularly affects their identification documents. The doctoral title in front of the last name in the passport will also no longer be required in the future.
Munich – The Federal Council has already given the green light. The so-called “Ordinance for updating document templates in passport, ID and immigration law documents” is – as of March 27, 2024 – a done deal and will come into force on April 1 of this year. A significant change primarily affects passport holders who have a doctorate in front of their last name.
The title of Dr. often caused confusion during border controls: the entry before the last name will no longer be necessary in the future
The new regulation changes the indication of the doctoral title. In the future there will be a separate field for the doctorate. According to the Federal Ministry of the Interior and for Homeland, this applies to the travel and identity card passports of citizens in this country. But the new regulation also affects service and diplomatic IDs as well as travel documents for foreigners, refugees and stateless persons. These aren't the only changes coming to passports.
The reason for the change is that the entry of a doctoral degree in passports and ID cards by placing the abbreviation “Dr.” in front of the last name apparently often led to complications during border controls in other countries. The abbreviation was often mistaken for part of the last name, according to the justification for the regulation. “In addition, the international aviation organization's standard for travel documents does not provide for any entries other than the surname for the 'name' data field,” the statement continued. Accordingly, in the future there will be a separate data field “Doctoral degree” on the identification documents for German citizens with a doctorate degree.
The Dr. title has often caused confusion at border controls: now the title has its own field on the ID card. (Symbolic image) © imago
Many Germans affected by the changes: further relief will come into force in the future
A request from
IPPEN.MEDIA
as to whether holders with a doctoral degree in front of their last name now have to exchange or have their passports renewed has remained unanswered by the Ministry of the Interior. In any case, Interior Minister Nancy Faden is increasingly committed to reducing bureaucracy in the administration. This would make it easier and quicker for people to get their new ID card, the ministry said in a recent press release.
This particularly affects citizens who are about to go on vacation. “In the future, citizens will receive email reminders about the expiration of their documents upon request,” the Ministry of Homeland Affairs announces on its website.
The following simplifications will also be implemented:
My news
Turkish election results: Erdogan admits defeat – AKP loses in Istanbulread
After 20 years, the citizen's benefit recipient finally finds work - two days later he is already annoyed
Cannabis release on April 1st - read where to get seeds for planting now
Quake in the construction industry: Read the bankruptcy of a large German real estate company
“That touched a nerve”: Breakfast café has to close shortly after opening – due to too many guests reading
Cannabis legalization on April 1st: This is the current status in Bayernlesen
The obligation to present a paper-based passport photo will no longer apply at the end of April 2025. To this end, we are creating detailed regulations for setting up self-service stations in the authorities for the digital recording of biometric information (photograph, fingerprints, signature) without media disruption.
The possibility of direct postal delivery of passports and identity cards to the applicant's domestic registration address will be introduced from May 2025
The issuance of digitally generated change stickers will be simplified by eliminating the obligation to provide an official signature and date.
Source: Federal Ministry of the Interior and Homeland
Dr. title causes confusion at the borders: What to do if the passport is lost?
In the Free State of Bavaria, the State Ministry of the Interior, Sport and Integration is the highest service authority for passports and identity cards for German citizens. Since November 2021, citizens in the Free State have been issued with their identity cards with eID functions, although security authorities have repeatedly warned of a security gap in electronic passports.
If you lose your wallet with cards and ID cards, you should immediately heed three tips. The Ministry of the Interior also answers further questions about the ID card with the online ID function. Since the beginning of the year, the children's passport has been abolished and replaced by an electronic one. Therefore, parents now have to apply for something else in order to be able to travel with their offspring without hindrance.
(sthe)