From May 1, 2025, only photographs that have been taken by a private photo service provider may be used for ID card and passport applications.digitalvia a secureCloudprovided or created on site at the registration office. The reason for this are considerations of the legislator and regulator that the risk of forged photographs in ID documents should be effectively countered.
As of this date, photo studios or private photo service providers must only send photos for ID card and passport applications to the registration office in electronic form via secure electronic transmission channels. You will then receive a printout of a data matrix code (similar to a QR code) from the photographer. The authorities can use this to retrieve your photograph.
Without the data matrix code printout from the photographer, the document cannot be applied for. Alternatively, it is possible to take the photos electronically on site at the authority and transfer them to the application process. The fee for a photo in the administration office is €6.00.
Your residents' registration office at
Verbandsgemeindeverwaltung Südeifel