The complete guide for the application
Applying for a Tazkira in Germany in 2026
The Tazkira is an important document proving identity and citizenship. It also plays an important role in procedures such as the “ Naturalization ” or the “ Settlement permit .” Anyone who does not have a valid Tazkira and cannot travel to Afghanistan may, under certain conditions, apply for a Ghayabi Tazkira from Germany.
Find out more here:
- How to Apply for a Tazkira from Germany
- What documents you need for the application
- Which Afghan diplomatic missions in Germany offer this service?
- What role do family members or trusted individuals in Afghanistan play in the application process?
The most important facts in brief
- All three diplomatic missions in Germany currently offer the Ghayabi Tazkira procedure: Berlin, Bonn, and Munich.
- At the Consulate General in Bonn, appointments can currently only be scheduled in person at the consulate and with a valid identification document.
- To apply for the Tazkira, a direct relative must accompany the applicant through the process in Afghanistan—for example, the father, brother, grandfather, uncle, aunt, or son of the paternal uncle.
- In our experience, in practice, even unrelated trusted individuals are sometimes accepted.
What is a Ghayabi Tazkira?
The Ghayabi Tazkira, also known as the "absentee Tazkira," allows Afghan nationals in Germany to apply for a Tazkira without having to travel to Afghanistan in person.
The application is submitted through an Afghan embassy or consulate. A trusted representative in Afghanistan—usually a close relative—takes over the process and appears in person before the relevant authority.
Why is the Tazkira important?
The Tazkira serves as proof of identity, Afghan citizenship, and personal information. It is required for many administrative procedures in Afghanistan and Germany.
It is also important when applying for or renewing an Afghan passport. The passport, in turn, serves as proof of identity, for example when applying for a Naturalization or a Settlement permit.
Attention: Counterfeits!
BfV security advice: "Many e-Tazkirs are not included in the register. Forgeries are widespread." (Federal Office for the Protection of the Constitution, 2025)
How to Apply for a Ghayabi Tazkira in Germany
Currently, all three Afghan diplomatic missions in Germany offer the Ghayabi Tazkira application process: the Consulates General in Bonn and Munich, as well as the Embassy in Berlin. Here you can find out how the process works in detail and what documents you need for the application.
💡Tip:Check the websites of Afghan diplomatic missions abroad regularly, as procedures and requirements may change on short notice.
Current situation of the Afghan missions abroad in Germany
Consulate General in Bonn
The Consulate General in Bonn currently offers both the option to apply for a Ghayabi Tazkira and the option to correct information on an existing Tazkira. This includes, for example, changes to the first and last names as well as the date of birth.
Important information about the Consulate General Munich:
- Due to technical issues, online appointment scheduling has not been available for some time (as of September 2026)
- Appointments can currently only be made in person at our office. You must bring a valid form of identification with you.
Bonn Checklist: Here Are the Documents You'll Need
- Tazkira, e-Tazkira, or passport (original and copy): If you do not have any of these documents, you will first need to provide proof of identity
- A copy of your contact person's tazkira in Afghanistan, along with their contact information
- A copy and the original of the German residence permit or identity card
- Two recent passport photos of the person for whom the Tazkira is being requested
- Completed form for the Ghayabi Tazkira
Here's how the process works at the Consulate General in Bonn
- Submit your application for the Ghayabi Tazkira online through the Consulate General in Bonn. After submitting the application, you will receive an application number. Then print out the application.
- Make an appointment at the Consulate General.
- Please bring the printed application, the application number, and all required documents—both originals and copies—to your appointment.
- The Consulate General in Bonn will review the application and the supporting documents.
- The documents will then be sent to Afghanistan. There, your designated representative will handle the next steps and assist with the process at the relevant agency.
- Once the process is complete, the Tazkira is issued in Afghanistan and certified by the Afghan Ministry of Foreign Affairs. It can then be collected and sent to Germany.
Fee: This service is free of charge at the Consulate General in Bonn.
Duration: Processing time depends on the relevant authority in Afghanistan and may take several weeks or longer.
Consulate General Munich
The Consulate General in Munich offers both the application for the Ghayabi Tazkira and the correction of information on an existing Tazkira (first and last name, date of birth).
Important information about the Consulate General Munich:
- This service is available exclusively to Afghan nationals residing in Bavaria and Baden-Württemberg.
- You can schedule an appointment online.
- The application for the Ghayabi Tazkira can also be submitted online. However, an in-person appointment at the Consulate General is still required.
Munich Checklist: Here Are the Documents You'll Need
- Completed form for the Ghayabi Tazkira
- A legible copy of your contact person's tazkira in Afghanistan
- A copy and the original of your own Tazkira or passport, if available
- Two recent passport photos of the person for whom the Tazkira is being requested
- A copy and the original of a valid German residence permit or a valid visa
Here's how the process works at the Consulate General in Munich
- Submit your application for a Ghayabi Tazkira online through the Consulate General in Munich. You will then receive a reference number via email.
- Schedule an appointment online with the Consulate General.
- Please bring the printed application form, the order number, and all required documents—both originals and copies—to your appointment.
- The Consulate General in Munich will review your application and the documents you have submitted.
- After the review, you will receive the documents needed for the next steps in the process. Please send these to your contact person in Afghanistan.
- The liaison will handle the next steps there, apply for the tazkira with the appropriate authority, and assist with the process on site.
- Once the process is complete, the tazkira is issued and certified by the Afghan Ministry of Foreign Affairs. It can then be picked up and sent to Germany.
Embassy in Berlin
The Afghan Embassy in Berlin offers various services related to the tazkira. These include applying for a ghayabi tazkira, issuing a duplicate, verifying a tazkira, and correcting information such as name, date of birth, or place of birth.
Important Information About the Embassy in Berlin:
- Applications for a Ghayabi Tazkira can currently only be submitted in person at the embassy. Online applications are not accepted.
- You can download the application form online as a PDF.
- The Embassy in Berlin has a new website. Some features, including online appointment scheduling, are not yet available (as of September 2026).
Berlin Checklist: Here Are the Documents You'll Need
- The original Tazkira and a copy, if available
- A valid German " Residence permit " or a valid proof of residence, both the original and a copy
- A recent passport photo
- Completed form for the Ghayabi Tazkira
- A clearly legible copy of the tazkira issued by your trusted contact in Afghanistan
Here's how the process works through the Embassy in Berlin
- Download the application form for the Ghayabi Tazkira and fill it out completely.
- Make an appointment at the embassy in Berlin.
- Please visit the embassy in person and submit the completed form along with the required documents.
- The embassy will register and review your application. The file will then be transmitted electronically to the National Statistics and Information Authority of Afghanistan (NSIA).
- As soon as the NSIA receives the file, your representative will take over the next steps and guide you through the process with the relevant authority.
- Once the process is complete, the Tazkira is issued in Afghanistan.
Fee: This service is free of charge
What is identity verification?
To apply for a Ghayabi Tazkira, you must provide proof of identity at the Consulate General in Bonn, for example, with a Tazkira, e-Tazkira, or passport.
If you do not have any of these documents, you will first need to provide proof of identity. You can also apply for this at the Consulate General in Bonn. Only then can you apply for a Ghayabi Tazkira.
You will need the following documents to verify your identity:
- Copies of the tazkiras of two close relatives (father, brother, grandfather, uncle, or paternal cousin)
- Original and copy of the German residence permit
- Other Afghan documents serving as proof of identity, such as diplomas, voter registration cards, military IDs, and school transcripts
- Two recent passport photos against a white background
- Completed application form
This is how the procedure works:
- Fill out the application form and submit it before the deadline.
- You will then receive a confirmation code via email.
- Please schedule an appointment and bring all the necessary documents with you.
- The Consulate General will verify your identity and review your documents.
- If all requirements are met, the identity verification will be issued.
- You can then apply for the Ghayabi Tazkira.
Fee: 10 euros
We'll answer your legal questions
Do I need to go to the embassy or the consulate to get a Ghayabi Tazkira?
Yes. To apply for a Ghayabi Tazkira, you must appear in person at the Embassy in Berlin or the Consulate General in Munich or Bonn. This is primarily due to the following reasons:
- Document Review: Consular staff must review the application and verify your identity and the identity of your designated representative.
- Personal Signature: The application requires the applicant's personal signature.
In exceptional cases (e.g., due to health-related limitations), you should contact the relevant diplomatic mission abroad directly to determine whether an alternative procedure is possible.
Will visiting the embassy or consulate jeopardize my protected status?
No. Visiting the embassy or consulate will not result in the loss or revocation of your protected status.
The Federal Administrative Court (BVerwG) has also clarified in a ruling that contact with a diplomatic mission of one’s country of origin does not mean that a person is once again placing themselves under the protection of that state. This is particularly true when such contact is necessary to obtain a passport or other important documents.
💡Tip: Before visiting the embassy or consulate, have your Foreigners' office confirm that you intend to obtain a passport or other important documents there.
Attention:
Data Transfer: Application data is transmitted to the Afghan Ministry of the Interior (MOI) in Kabul, which is under Taliban control. However, according to current information (as of July 30, 2025), there are no documented cases of political persecution resulting solely from passport applications filed in Germany.
Can I use the identity verification to apply for the " Naturalization " in Germany?
No. The identity confirmation does not replace either a tazkira or an Afghan passport. It is intended solely to confirm your identity to German authorities.
For the “ Naturalization ” (and the “ Settlement permit ”), you are generally required to prove your identity with a valid national passport. Only if it is (demonstrably) impossible or unreasonable for you to present an Afghan passport or passport substitute may the so-called “tiered model” be applied in connection with the “ Naturalization,” the “ Settlement permit ,” or other residence-related procedures.
The tiered system specifies how your identity can be verified even without a passport or tazkira. Among other things, it assesses whether obtaining a passport is possible or reasonable.
Our recommended reading
Naturalization without a national passport
Here you can find out about the Naturalization process without a passport, why Naturalization without a passport is complicated and what the step-by-step model is all about.
FAQ – Applying for a Tazkira in Germany
Yes. If you live in Germany and are unable to travel to Afghanistan, you can apply for what is known as a Ghayabi Tazkira. This is a Tazkira that is applied for in absentia through an Afghan diplomatic mission abroad.
Important: You need a trusted contact in Afghanistan (ideally a close relative) who can personally assist with the process on site.
Currently, all three Afghan diplomatic missions in Germany offer this service: the Embassy in Berlin and the Consulates General in Bonn and Munich.
That depends on where you live. The Consulate General in Munich offers this service exclusively to Afghan nationals residing in Bavaria or Baden-Württemberg. Before submitting your application, check with the relevant diplomatic mission to find out about the current jurisdiction.
Generally, you will need the completed application form, proof of identity, your German " Residence permit," recent passport photos, and a copy of your contact person’s tazkira in Afghanistan.
The duration of the process depends on the relevant authority in Afghanistan and may take several weeks or even longer.
