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1.3.1 Issue of a protocol card

15.04.2025 - Article

The following documents must be submitted along with the application for a first protocol card (Protokollausweis):

DOCUMENT	NOTE
Note Verbale	notifies the actual dates of arrival and of commencement of duties submit one original
Application form	for home-based staff: form in Annex PA1 for family members: form in Annex PA2 submit in triplicate and fill in electronically
Copy of passport	photo page including visa (if required) and entry stamp
Passport photo	3.5 cm x 4.5 cm up to date (must not be more than six months old) and biometric Do not affix it to the form, write the names on the back of the photo.
Signature form	Only use the original form provided by the Federal Foreign Office, not a copy! Children from the age of ten sign themselves. The signature field remains blank in the case of younger children.
Only for children who have attained the age of majority, are under 25 and are single	a complete copy of the person’s passport (including blank pages) confirmation that they are members of the household and financially dependent on the home-based member (see Annex PA3 ).
In the case of German nationality or a settlement permit	This must be notified. A copy of the German passport (photo page) or of the settlement permit must be included. Also consult the information on German nationals/permanent residence.

Signature by authorised signatories

The application form itself may only be signed by members of the diplomatic missions whom the Federal Foreign Office knows to be authorised signatories, having received an official notification to that effect.

Own applications

Forms signed and sealed by the applicant for their own person or for members of their household cannot be recognised and accepted. That also applies to applicants who are authorised signatories. In such cases, the application must be signed and sealed by another authorised signatory.

Issue only after deregistration of the predecessor

A protocol card may only be issued for a new member of a mission, their family members and private domestic staff once the predecessor, their family members and private domestic staff have left the country, been properly deregistered and their protocol cards returned.

Notification of address changes

It is important to ensure that the actual place of residence of staff members, family members, local staff and private domestric staff is stated correctly and in full and that any changes are reported to the Federal Foreign Office without delay. Reference is made in this context to Article 30 WCD. The address of the diplomatic or consular mission can only be given temporarily as a private address.