Austrian Passport
Austrian citizens living abroad can apply for a new passport or changes in passport at the nearest Embassy or Consulate General of their permanent residency. You can apply at the following Embassies in Northern America:
- Austrian Embassies in Washington, D.C. and Ottawa, Canada
- Austrian Consulates General in New York, Chicago and Los Angeles.
Please note, that Honorary Consulates cannot accept applications for biometric passports. (Boston, Pittsburgh, Bermuda)
Austrian citizens living abroad permanently may also apply for an Austrian passport with the local authorities (city or county government) while in Austria.
Since March 30, 2009 all new Austrian passports include fingerprints. The fingerprints will be saved on the chip and not shown in the passport. All applicants are therefore requested to appear in person when applying for an Austrian passport. The Austrian Consulate General cannot accept passport applications by mail.
All valid Austrian passports will stay valid until their expiration date and don't need to be exchanged.
Address and public hours, Public holidays
Consular fees
A) Issuance of new passports:
Austrian passports are valid for ten (10) years and cannot be renewed. Since March 30, 2009, biometric passports with fingerprints are issued in Austria. It takes appr. four weeks before the new passport may be handed over to the applicant.
The following documents must be presented:
1. Application form (in German only) - dated and signed
2. Affidavit for adults or minors - completed and signed
3. one recent passport pictures without official seal; show print-out of passport picture criteria (html, pdf) and passport picture template to photographer of your choice (recommended in NYC: Columbia Photo 3 West 51st Street (btw. 5th and 6th Ave
212.245.8058
4. Alien Registration Card (Green Card) or valid visa (original)
5. Birth Certificate (original)
6. Certificate of Citizenship (original)
7. old passport (if existent)
8. Marriage Certificate (if applicable)
9. Divorce decree(s) of former marriage(s) (if applicable)
10. Proof of academic degree (if applicable)
11. if the passport has been lost or stolen:police report
12. one set of photo copies of all supporting documents
13. self-addressed and stamped envelope (including filled out Certified Mail Receipt) if you want your passport returned by US Postal Service. The Austrian Consulate General will not be responsible for documents after they were mailed.
Please note: All foreign documents can only be accepted with Apostille or with a diplomatic legalisation!
B) Changes in still valid passports:
Only the following changes are possible:
a) entry of a recognized academic degree
b) special characteristic
Effective June 15, 2009, every child needs to have his/her own passport. A change of one's family name is not possible. In that case, you have to apply for a new passport.
The following documents are required:
1. Application form for change in passport (in German only)
2. Original Alien Registration Card (Green Card) or valid visa
3. Original Birth Certificate
4. Original Certificate of Citizenship
5. passport
7. if applicable: Proof of academic degree
8. self-addressed and stamped envelope (including filled out Certified Mail Receipt) if you want your passport returned by US Postal Service. The Austrian Consulate General will not be responsible for documents after they were mailed.
Please note the following regulations:
a) Passports issued to minors are valid for:
under the age of two: two (2) years (free of charge)
over the age of two but less than twelve years old: five (5) years
over twelve years of age: ten (10) years
Please check the fee for children's passport until the age of 12. The passport application for children under the age of 14 must be signed by both parents either at the Consulate or before a notary public. If the parents are divorced, the divorce decree must be presented.
Minors over the age of 14 may apply for a passport themselves provided both parents have prior given their written consent (either at the Consulate or before a notary public).
PLEASE NOTE that there is now a new application form for passports for minors available.
b) Family name of spouse:
If the wedding took place before May 1, 1995, the female spouse may add her maiden name to the new family name by means of a hyphen (e.g. familiy name - maiden name).
If the wedding took place on or after May 1, 1995, the family name that will be entered in the passport is the name both parties agreed to in writing at the wedding ceremony (as long as this name is in accordance with the Austrian legal system). If the shared family name is not explicitly stated on the marriage certificate or there was no written agreement, the husband's family name is assumed to be the new family name of both spouses and their children.
