How long does it take to get a Danish passport? Processing times explained

A Danish passport is issued by the authorities after your identity and supporting documents have been verified. While the passport itself is produced centrally, the total waiting time depends on where you apply, appointment availability, and whether you submit your application in Denmark or at a Danish embassy abroad.

This guide covers expected passport processing times in Denmark and abroad, as well as passport renewals and urgent cases.

Table of contents

• Danish passport processing time in Denmark
• Danish passport processing time abroad
• How long does it take to renew a Danish passport?
• Documents you need for a Danish passport application
• Get a Danish passport photo online!
• Can you get a Danish passport faster?

Danish passport processing time in Denmark

If you apply within the country, the total Danish passport waiting time depends on both the municipality's appointment availability and the time needed to produce the passport.

If you apply for a passport in Denmark, you must submit your application in person at a local municipality (kommune) through its Citizen Service (Borgerservice). You can prepare the application digitally in advance. Then, you must schedule an in-person appointment for identity verification, signature, and fingerprint capture. You are free to apply in any Danish municipality.

How long does production usually take? After your application has been accepted, the passport is produced centrally before being sent to the municipality you selected. In most municipalities, production and delivery take around 10–15 working days (approximately 1.5–3 weeks). However, individual municipalities may publish slightly different estimates depending on their local arrangements. For example, Copenhagen states that new passports are usually ready within 2–3 weeks, while Aalborg estimates up to 2 weeks for applications submitted through Borgerservice.

Once your passport arrives, the municipality will notify you, typically by SMS, email, or digital post, that it is ready for collection. The notification explains where to collect the passport and whether it will be available from a document locker or directly from the Citizen Service office. If you have not received a message after the estimated processing period, you should contact the municipality where you applied.

In most cases, you collect the passport yourself without booking another appointment. Bring your old passport to your appointment so it can be canceled and handed over before you receive your new passport. Please note that you must collect your new passport within six months of the application date. Otherwise, the municipality is required to destroy it.

Can someone else collect my adult passport? Yes, but for this purpose, you must provide a formal power of attorney (fuldmagt). The person collecting the passport must present a photo ID.

Keep in mind that the overall timeline includes more than just production time. You must also factor in the time it takes to schedule an appointment. Many municipalities require appointments, and some require you to book via a digital self-service solution beforehand. There may be a longer-than-normal wait time for biometric appointments in Denmark, which affects how soon you can apply. This waiting period is separate from the 10-14 day production time.

Danish passport processing time abroad

The process and timeline for applying for a Danish passport while abroad differ significantly from those for applying within Denmark. Here, you'll learn where to apply abroad and what influences overseas processing times.

Danish citizens living or traveling outside Denmark can apply for a passport through a Danish embassy or consulate that offers passport services. Applications must be submitted in person so that the embassy or consulate can verify the applicant's identity and collect biometric data, including fingerprints, a facial photograph, and a signature.

Passport applications submitted abroad generally take longer than those filed in Denmark. One reason is that diplomatic missions must first verify your identity and supporting documents before forwarding the application for processing. Your passport will be printed with the exact information from the CPR. Your application cannot proceed if there is a discrepancy, such as a misspelled name, a change of citizenship, or an incorrect place of birth.

Another factor is that all Danish passports are produced in Denmark, even when the application is submitted overseas. Once the passport has been printed, it must be shipped to the embassy or consulate where you applied before you can collect it or, where available, have it sent to you. This international transport adds extra time compared with domestic applications.

Although the standard estimate is 3 to 6 weeks, this can vary significantly, depending on the diplomatic mission handling your application. For example, the embassy in the UK states that processing time for a Danish passport application is approximately 3-5 weeks, while an application via a "biometric suitcase visit" in Australia takes 8-10 weeks. These differences reflect local logistics, shipping schedules, staffing, and administrative procedures rather than differences in passport production itself.

For the most accurate information, always check the website of the Danish embassy or consulate where you plan to apply before booking travel.

How long does it take to renew a Danish passport?

For Danish citizens, renewing a passport is not inherently faster than submitting a first-time application. Both processes generally take the same amount of time because the passport must be produced and shipped from Denmark for each application. Therefore, the Danish passport renewal processing time is also about 10 to 15 days. The main advantage of a renewal is simpler documentation, not faster processing.

Like first-time applicants, most people renewing a passport must appear in person at Borgerservice. New biometric data are collected for every new passport, including fingerprints, a digital signature, and a facial photograph. The only exception is that children under the age of 12 do not provide fingerprints.

Some renewals may take longer than usual. Delays are possible if your personal details need to be verified or updated, if you have lost your previous passport, or if you cannot present your most recent passport at the appointment. Seasonal demand can also extend the overall timeline by making it harder to secure an appointment, even though the passport production time itself remains unchanged.

To ensure you don't find yourself without a valid passport when you need it, it's a good idea to apply for renewal several months before your current passport expires, especially if you have international travel planned.

Documents you need for a Danish passport application

The documents required for a Danish passport depend on your circumstances, including your age and whether you are applying for your first passport or renewing an existing one.

First adult passport or passport expired for more than 2 years

If you have never had a Danish passport or your previous passport expired more than two years ago, you will usually need:

• A completed and signed passport application form.
• Your original birth certificate showing the names of both parents.
• A Certificate of Danish Nationality (Statsborgerretsbevis/Indfødsretsbevis), if one has been issued.
• Your parents' marriage certificate if you were born abroad before 1 July 2014 and only your father was a Danish citizen when you were born.
• A compliant passport photo.
• Proof of identity if you do not have a CPR number or your latest passport has been lost.

Adult passport renewal (passport expired less than 2 years ago)

For a standard renewal, you will normally need:

• Your current or most recent passport, even if it has expired.
• A completed and signed passport application form.
• A passport photo.
• Documents confirming a name change, if your name has changed since your last passport was issued. Your updated name must also appear in the Danish Civil Registration System (CPR) before a new passport can be issued.

Passport application for a child (under 18)

Children must meet additional requirements because parental consent is generally required. You will usually need:

• A passport application form completed and signed by a parent or legal guardian.
• A declaration of consent signed by both parents, or by the parent who has sole custody.
• The child's original birth certificate showing both parents' names.
• The parents' original passports or signed photo ID.
• The child's most recent passport, if available.
• The child's Certificate of Danish Nationality, if one has been issued.
• A compliant passport photo.

Note: Your Danish citizenship must be correctly recorded in the CPR system before you apply. If the register lists another nationality, you must have the information corrected before your passport application can be processed.

Get a Danish passport photo online!

A photo is an essential part of your Danish passport application. With Visafoto, a trusted online photo editing service, there's no need to visit a photo studio to get a high-quality photo for your documents. It only takes two simple steps.

1. Upload a photo taken in natural light to the Visafoto tool below.
2. Choose the country and document type (for example, Denmark, passport).

Visafoto automatically adjusts the image to match official Denmark passport photo requirements, including background, size, and head position. You receive a digital file for online applications and a print-ready version.

When needed, Visafoto can also improve image quality by correcting lighting, enhancing clarity and resolution, and fixing framing issues if the original photo was cropped too tightly. You can even photograph an existing passport photo with your phone and let Visafoto optimize the image. If your uploaded photo already meets the required standards, Visafoto leaves it unchanged.

Example of the original photo:

Result after Visafoto editing:

Visafoto reports a 99.7% acceptance rate and more than 1,000,000 approved photos. If your photo is rejected, you receive a full refund. Our tech support is available 24/7.

Can you get a Danish passport faster?

Denmark does not offer a paid fast-track service for standard biometric passports. If you need to travel before a regular passport can be issued, the main alternative is an emergency (provisional) passport, provided you meet the eligibility requirements. Otherwise, the best way to receive your passport sooner is to book the earliest available appointment and submit a complete, error-free application.

An emergency passport is issued only for urgent travel. It has limited validity – typically for the duration of the trip, up to a maximum of 12 months. After your journey, you may be required to return the document, either immediately or when applying for a new regular passport. Since not all countries accept emergency passports, you should always check the entry and transit rules for your destination before you travel.

Situations where urgent travel may qualify are as follows:

• Your passport has been lost or stolen, and you need to travel soon (you will normally need a police report and proof of identity).
• Your passport expired more than three months ago, and there is not enough time to obtain a regular passport before your departure.
• Certain Danish embassies and consulates issue passport extensions only if the passport expired within the last three months. If it expired earlier, an emergency passport may be the only option.
• You need to travel urgently because of a medical emergency, a family emergency, or another compelling reason.

In every case, you must provide evidence of the urgency, such as travel bookings, medical documentation, a death certificate, or a police report, and explain why a standard passport cannot be issued in time.

Even if you do not qualify for expedited processing or an emergency passport, you can still shorten the overall timeline by booking the earliest available appointment. Many municipalities require advance booking, and appointment availability varies by location. Since you can apply at any Danish municipality, checking with several Borgerservice offices may help you find an earlier appointment.

Finally, you can help keep the process on schedule by preparing your application carefully:

• Bring all required documents to your appointment. Missing paperwork is one of the most common reasons for delays.
• Check that your Danish citizenship is correctly registered in the Civil Registration System (CPR) before you apply.
• Make sure your passport photo meets the official requirements. If it is rejected, you will need to provide a new one.
• Follow your application office's payment instructions and pay the passport fee as required to prevent processing delays.