Welcome
United Kingdom

Name
German Embassy London
Head
Andreas Michaelis
Tel.
020 7824 1300
Fax
020 7824 1449
Postal address
23 Belgrave Square
London, SW1X 8PZ
Opening hours
Monday - Friday only with appointment
Administrative / consular district
Avon, Bedfordshire, Berkshire, Buckinghamshire, Cambridgeshire, Cheshire, Clwyd, Cornwall, Derbyshire, Devon, Dyfed, Dorset, Essex, South Glamorgan, Mid Glamorgan, West Glamorgan, Gloucestershire, Greater Manchester, Gwent, Gwynedd, Hampshire, Hereford and Worcester, Hertfordshire, Humberside, Kent, Lancashire, Leicestershire, Lincolnshire, Greater London, Merseyside, Norfolk, Northamptonshire, Nottinghamshire, Oxfordshire, Powys, Salop, Somerset, Staffordshire, Suffolk, Surrey, East Sussex, West Sussex, North Yorkshire, West Yorkshire, South Yorkshire, Warwickshire, West Midlands, Isle of Wight, Wiltshire, Isle of Man and Northern Ireland, Channel Islands, Gibraltar, Falkland Islands (Malvinas)
Website
Name
Consulate General Edinburgh
Head
TBA
Tel.
+44 131 337 2323
Fax
+44 131 3479 873
Postal address
16 Eglinton Crescent
Edinburgh, EH12 5DG
United Kingdom
Administrative / consular district
Scotland and the following counties in northern England: Cumbria, Darlington, Durham, Hartlepool, Middlesbrough, Northumberland, Redcar and Cleveland, Stockton on Tees, Tyne and Wear (Tyneside), as well as North Yorkshire with the exception of Selby and York.
Website
Name
Honorary Consul Aberdeen
Head
Mr Graeme Edward
Tel.
01224 408 608
Fax
01224 408 403
Postal address
Ledingham Chalmers LLP, Johnstone House, 52-54 Rose Street, Aberdeen, AB10 1HA
Administrative / consular district
Aberdeen City and Aberdeenshire
Responsible mission: Consulate General Edinburgh
A prior appointment is recommended.
Consular services:
authentication of signatures in matters relating to civil status/ civil law
authentication of signatures in pension matters (life certificates)
authentication of copies
applications for the issue of biometric passports
Name
Honorary Consul Barrow-upon-Humber
Head
Mr Sascha Kripgans
Tel.
01469 531388
Mobile phone number
07793 204890
Postal address
Wood Lea, Westoby Lane, Barrow upon Humber, DN19 7DJ
Administrative / consular district
East Riding of Yorkshire, Kingston upon Hull, North Lincolnshire, North East Lincolnshire, Humberside, Lincolnshire und Nottinghamshire, Nottingham
Responsible mission: German Embassy London
barrow_upon_humber@hk-diplo.de
A prior apppointment is recommended.
Consular services:
authentication of signatures in matters relating to civil status/ civil law
authentication of signatures in pension matters (life certificates)
authentication of copies
applications for the issue of biometric passports
Name
Honorary Consul Belfast
Head
Dr Angela Vaupel-Schwittay
Tel.
07906 672175
Postal address
32 Agherton Drive, Portstewart, BT55 7JQ, Co. Londonderry, Northern Ireland
Administrative / consular district
Northern Ireland
Responsible mission: German Embassy London

A prior appointment is necessary.
Consular services:
authentication of signatures in matters relating to civil status/ civil law
authentication of signatures in pension matters (life certificates)
authentication of copies
applications for the issue of biometric passports
Name
Honorary Consul Bristol
Head
Kai von Pahlen
Tel.
+44 (0) 117 925 20 20
Postal address
VWV, Narrow Quay House, Narrow Quay, Bristol, BS1 4QA, England
Administrative / consular district
Bristol, Gloucestershire, Somerset
Responsible mission: German Embassy London

A prior appointment is mandatory.
Consular services:
authentication of signatures in matters relating to civil status/ civil law
authentication of signatures in pension matters (life certificates)
authentication of copies
applications for the issue of biometric passports
Name
Honorary Consul Cardiff
Head
Mrs Helga Rother-Simmonds
Tel.
07967 442268
Postal address
42 St Margaret's Road, Whitchurch, Cardiff, CF14 7AB
Administrative / consular district
Cardiff, Vale of Glamorgan, Swansea, Newport, Torfaen, Blaenau Gwent, Rhondda Cynon Taff, Caerphilly, Merthyr Tydfil, Bridgend, Monmouthshire, Breconshire/Powys, Neath Port Talbot, Carmarthenshire, Pembrokeshire, Ceredigion
Responsible mission: German Embassy London

A prior appointment is recommended.
All enquiries either by e-mail or telephone (strictly Mon-Fri 10.00-16.00 hrs).
Appointments for passports by telephone only! Visa enquiries in London only (see visa pages).
Consular services:
authentication of signatures in matters relating to civil status/ civil law
authentication of signatures in pension matters (life certificates)
authentication of copies
applications for the issue of biometric passports
Undertaking German Public Notarisations
Name
Honorary Consul Birmingham/Coventry
Head
Mrs Kirin Kalsi
Tel.
02476 193000
Fax
02476 425248
Postal address
c/o E.ON UK plc, Westwood Way, Westwood Business Park, Coventry, CV4 8LG
Administrative / consular district
West Midlands
Responsible mission: German Embassy London
A prior appointment is recommended.
Consular services:
authentication of signatures in matters relating to civil status/ civil law
authentication of signatures in pension matters (life certificates)
authentication of copies
Please note that the Honorary Consul can not advise on passport or visa issues. Please contact the Embassy in London directly regarging such queries.
Name
Honorary Consul Dover
Head
Mr John Ryeland
Tel.
079 70564091
Fax
01304 240374
Postal address
c/o Dover South Services, Limekiln Street, Dover, CT17 9EF
Administrative / consular district
Counties Essex, Kent, East- and West-Sussex
Responsible mission: German Embassy London
A prior appointment is recommended.

Consular services:
authentication of signatures in matters relating to civil status/ civil law
authentication of signatures in pension matters (life certificates)
authentication of copies
More information from the Honorary Consul for Dover, Mr John Ryeland:
Dear readers,
From time to time I am asked what administrative acts are undertaken in my capacity as Honorary Consul for Germany in Dover within my consular district, which includes the counties of Essex, Kent, East- and West Sussex.
Firstly, some background. The Federal Republic of Germany relies on a network of over 300 Honorary Consuls worldwide, 17 of whom serve in the United Kingdom. Honorary Consuls are volunteers who do not have to be German citizens. Honorary consuls do not receive a salary for their services and may combine their official role with private activities. Aiming primarily at securing the interests of Germany and its citizens in the United Kingdom/Channel Islands and fostering the relations between Germany and the United Kingdom/Channel Islands, Honorary Consuls support and complement the work of the German Embassy in London (and the Consulate General in Edinburgh) in a broad way. They are responsible for consular duties, cultural cooperation, promotion of trade and commerce, as well as building a positive and modern image of Germany abroad.
The following list sets out my principal consular activities:
Passport and visa applications
It is NOT possible to apply for a German passport or visa from my Dover office. Applications should be directed to the Embassy in London, as detailed in the relevant section of this website.
Certifications
The Honorary Consul can certify signatures on a document for its intended use in Germany or on applications for certificates of Good Conduct (i.e. no criminal convictions). The consular fee is fixed at Euro 20.00 (to be paid in British Pounds)
When certifying signatures for powers of attorney and declarations of ratification in connection with the purchase or sale of property in Germany the consular fee is calculated by reference to a statutory fee table, by reference to the value of the underlying legal transaction.
The consular fee for certifying the authenticity of copies (as compared against original documents) is fixed at Euro 10.00 for up to 10 pages (to be paid in British Pounds)
Name Declarations
Due to its complexity, the completion of the form for a name declaration is undertaken by the Embassy in London; nevertheless, all signatures and copies of all original supporting documents can be certified by the Honorary Consul. The current consular fee is EURO 25.00 for certifying the signature and EURO 10.00 for certifying copies of up to 10 pages.
For all questions related to Name Declarations please click here
Pension matters
Recipients of a public pension from Germany must normally produce an annual life certificate to the pension provider. The signature of the pension recipient on the relevant form can be certified by the Honorary Consul, free of charge.
Renunciations of Inheritance
From time to time heirs wish to renounce their inheritance in relation to German estates. As a general rule, the heirs can declare their renouncement to the competent German probate court within six weeks after being informed about the death and their entitlement as heirs. The deadline is six months in case either the heir stayed outside of Germany (irrespective of his/her actual residence) at the time of death or if the deceased had his sole residence outside of Germany. All signatures on the relevant form must be certified by the Honorary Consul. The current consular fee is EURO 20.00
After certification of the signature, the form has to be sent to the competent probate court (Nachlassgericht) in Germany. In case the heir has children, the right of inheritance would usually pass on to them under intestacy rules and they would have to sign a separate renouncement form. In case of children who are underage, their legal representative(s) (i.e. usually both parents) will have to sign. In some cases the approval by the family court is necessary to renounce for children. The family court’s approval has to be submitted to the competent court of probate within the above mentioned deadline. The family court’s approval is not necessary in cases when the minor becomes an heir where the parent, who legally represents the minor, has renounced the inheritance.
The Honorary Consul unfortunately cannot offer legal advice regarding inheritance matters including the legal consequences and validity regarding a renouncement. You are therefore kindly asked to check with the German court directly whether the form has been received and accepted within the deadline. If necessary you may wish to avail yourself of a lawyer for detailed legal advice and further assistance.
If you require an appointment with the Honorary Consul please apply by email, telephone or post.
Honorary Consul Ryeland looks forward to your visit.
Name
Honorary Consul Glasgow
Head
Mr Michael J Dean
Tel.
0141 271 5730
Fax
0330 222 0053
Postal address
c/o Dentons UK & Middle East LLP, 1 George Square, Glasgow, G2 1AL
Administrative / consular district
City and port of Glasgow
Responsible mission: Consulate General Edinburgh
A prior appointment is recommended.
Consular services:
authentication of signatures in matters relating to civil status/ civil law
authentication of signatures in pension matters (life certificates)
authentication of copies
Name
Honorarkonsul der Bundesrepublik Deutschland
Head
Jens Alers, Honorarkonsul
Town
Hamilton
Tel.
+1 441 295 06 14
Fax
+1 441 292 25 41
Postal address
Honorary Consul of the Federal Republic of Germany, P.O. Box HM 2089, Hamilton HM HX, Bermuda.
Street
Richmond House, 12 Par-la-Ville Road, Hamilton HM 08, Bermuda.
Administrative / consular district
Bermuda. Übergeordnete Auslandsvertretung: Generalkonsulat New York.
Hinweis: Bei Benutzung einer Telefon- bzw. Faxverbindung via Satellit (Satcom) entstehen höhere Gebühren.
Name
Honorary Consul Leeds/Manchester
Head
Mr Mark Green
Tel.
01535 656 525
Postal address
The Old Vicarage, Briggate, Silsden, BD20 9JS
Administrative / consular district
York, Bradford, Leeds, Calderdale, Kirklees, Wakefield, Doncaster, Barnsley, Sheffield, Rotherham, Manchester, Districts: Selby of North Yorkshire, West Yorkshire and South Yorkshire
Responsible mission: German Embassy London
A prior appointment is required.

Consular services:
authentication of signatures in matters relating to civil status/ civil law
authentication of signatures in pension matters (life certificates)
authentication of copies
applications for the issue of biometric passports
Passport application with Honorary Consuls
More information from the Honorary Consul for Leeds and Manchester, Mr Mark Green:
Dear readers,
From time to time I am asked what administrative acts are undertaken in my capacity as Honorary Consul for Germany within my district, which includes the conurbations of both Leeds and Manchester.
Firstly, some background. The Federal Republic of Germany relies on a network of over 300 Honorary Consuls worldwide, 17 of whom serve in the United Kingdom. Honorary Consuls are volunteers who do not have to be German citizens. Honorary consuls do not receive a salary for their services and may combine their official role with private activities. Aiming primarily at securing the interests of Germany and its citizens in the United Kingdom and fostering the relations between Germany and the United Kingdom, Honorary Consuls support and complement the work of the German Embassy in London and the Consulate General in Edinburgh in a broad way. They are responsible for consular duties, cultural cooperation, promotion of trade and commerce, as well as building a positive and modern image of Germany abroad.
Please note that I am not able to take in/ process visa applications. For all visa related questions please contact the German Embassy in London.
The following list sets out my principal consular activities:
Passport applications
It is possible to apply for a German passport in my office.
Passport applications are dealt with strictly by prior appointment. Please note that, due to the high number of enquiries, appointments might sometimes be given for a date that is up to two months after the date of request.
The applicable fees, including an additional consular fee for applications processed in my district, have to be paid in British Pounds. As they depend on various circumstances (e.g. type of passport, age of applicant) they will be determined upon request or once an application has been filed.
During the appointment, all copy documents produced by the applicant are compared against all the original documents brought by the applicant and then certified. All relevant personal data is taken digitally, including finger prints and a facial photograph, which are then promptly forwarded to the Embassy in London. Normally, a new passport is issued in Germany within 9 weeks. The time needed for processing applications depends entirely upon the German authorities and cannot in any circumstances be influenced by the Honorary Consul or the German Embassy in London. Following receipt by the Embassy, new passports are then forwarded directly to applicants by special delivery post.
Certifications
The Honorary Consul can certify signatures on a document for its intended use in Germany or on applications for certificates of Good Conduct (i.e. no criminal convictions). The consular fee is fixed at Euro 20.00 (to be paid in British Pounds)
When certifying signatures for powers of attorney and declarations of ratification in connection with the purchase or sale of property in Germany the consular fee is calculated by reference to a statutory fee table, based upon the value of the underlying legal transaction.
The consular fee for certifying the authenticity of copies (as compared against original documents) is fixed at Euro 10.00 for up to 10 pages (to be paid in British Pounds)
Name Declarations
Due to its complexity, the completion of the form for a name declaration is undertaken by the Embassy in London; nevertheless, all signatures and copies of all original supporting documents can be certified by the Honorary Consul. The current consular fee is Euro 25.00 for certifying the signature and Euro 10.00 for certifying copies of up to 10 pages.
For all questions related to Name Declarations please click here.
Pension matters
Recipients of a public pension from Germany must normally produce an annual life certificate to the pension provider. The signature of the pension recipient on the relevant form can be certified by the Honorary Consul, free of charge.
Renunciations of Inheritance
From time to time heirs wish to renounce their inheritance in relation to German estates. As a general rule, the heirs can declare their renouncement to the competent German probate court within six weeks after being informed about the death and their entitlement as heirs. The deadline is six months in case either the heir stayed outside of Germany (irrespective of his/her actual residence) at the time of death or if the deceased had his sole residence outside of Germany. All signatures on the relevant form must be certified by the Honorary Consul. The current consular fee is Euro 20.00
After certification of the signature, the form has to be sent to the competent probate court (Nachlassgericht) in Germany. In case the heir has children, the right of inheritance would usually pass on to them under intestacy rules and they would have to sign a separate renouncement form. In case of children who are underage, their legal representative(s) (i.e. usually both parents) will have to sign. In some cases the approval by the family court is necessary to renounce for children. The family court’s approval has to be submitted to the competent court of probate within the above mentioned deadline. The family court’s approval is not necessary in cases when the minor becomes an heir where the parent, who legally represents the minor, has renounced the inheritance.
The Honorary Consul unfortunately cannot offer legal advice regarding inheritance matters including the legal consequences and validity regarding a renouncement. You are therefore kindly asked to check with the German court directly whether the form has been received and accepted within the deadline. If necessary you may wish to avail yourself of a lawyer for detailed legal advice and further assistance.
If you require an appointment with the Honorary Consul please apply by email, telephone or post to the consular assistant as follows:
Please contact the Honorary Consul by one of the following means:
email: leeds@hk-diplo.de
phone: 01535 656 525
Please contact us by email whenever possible.
Honorary Consul Green and consular assistant Mageean look forward to your visit.
Name
Honorary Consul Lerwick (Shetland)
Head
Dieter Glaser
Tel.
01595 695956 or 0845 644 8658 (local rate)
Fax
01595 695956
Postal address
43 Kantersted Road, Lerwick, Shetland Islands, ZE1 0RJ
Administrative / consular district
Shetland Islands
Responsible Mission: Consulate General Edinburgh
A prior appointment is recommended.
Consular services:
authentication of signatures in matters relating to civil status/ civil law
authentication of signatures in pension matters (life certificates)
authentication of copies
Name
Honorary Consul Liverpool
Head
Dr med Ulrich Pfeiffer
Tel.
07757 372641 (Mo-Fr: 10am-4pm)
Postal address
5th Floor Hanover House, Hanover Street, Liverpool, L1 3DZ
Administrative / consular district
Cheshire, Conwy, Denbighshire, Flintshire, Gwynedd, Isle of Man, Isle of Anglesey, Wrexham, independent districts Halton, Knowsley, Liverpool, Sefton, St. Helens and Wirral
Responsible mission: German Embassy London
A prior appointment is recommended.
Consular services:
authentication of signatures in matters relating to civil status/ civil law
authentication of signatures in pension matters (life certificates)
authentication of copies
applications for the issue of biometric passports
Name
Honorary Consul Newcastle upon Tyne
Head
Mrs Manuela Wendler
Tel.
079 5403 4744
Postal address
c/o Newcastle Civic Centre, Registrar's Entrance, Newcastle upon Tyne, NE1 8PS

A prior appointment is recommended.
Consular services (also for residents from Teesside and North Yorkshire):
authentication of signatures in matters relating to civil status/ civil law
authentication of signatures in pension matters (life certificates)
authentication of copies
applications for the issue of biometric passports
Passport application with Honorary Consuls
PDF / 120 KB
More information from the Honorary Consul for Newcastle upon Tyne, Mrs Manuela Wendler:
Dear readers,
From time to time I am asked what administrative acts are undertaken in my capacity as Honorary Consul for Germany within my district for biometric passport applications.
Firstly, some background. The Federal Republic of Germany relies on a network of over 300 Honorary Consuls worldwide, 17 of whom serve in the United Kingdom. Honorary Consuls are volunteers who do not have to be German citizens. Honorary consuls do not receive a salary for their services and may combine their official role with private activities. Aiming primarily at securing the interests of Germany and its citizens in the United Kingdom and fostering the relations between Germany and the United Kingdom, Honorary Consuls support and complement the work of the German Embassy in London and the Consulate General in Edinburgh in a broad way. They are responsible for consular duties, cultural cooperation, promotion of trade and commerce, as well as building a positive and modern image of Germany abroad.
The following list sets out my principal consular activities:
Passport applications
It is possible to apply for a German passport in my Newcastle office.
Passport applications are dealt with in Newcastle generally on Thursdays, strictly by prior appointment. Please note that, due to the high number of enquiries, appointments might sometimes not be available for several weeks after the date of request.
The applicable fees, including an additional consular fee for applications processed in Newcastle, have to be paid in British Pounds. As they depend on various circumstances (e.g. type of passport, age of applicant) they will be determined upon request or once an application has been filed.
During the appointment, all copy documents produced by the applicant are compared against all the original documents brought by the applicant or copies are taken at the appointment and then certified. All relevant personal data is taken digitally, including finger prints and a facial photograph, and forwarded to the German Consulate General in Edinburgh within 24 hours. A photographer is usually available to take the German specification photograph at the time of the appointment – cost £10. Normally, a new passport is issued in Germany within 6/7 weeks. The time needed for processing applications depends entirely upon the German authorities and cannot in any circumstances be influenced by the Honorary Consul or the German Consulate General in Edinburgh. Following receipt by the Consulate General, new passports are then forwarded directly to applicants by special delivery post.
Certifications
The Honorary Consul can certify signatures on a document for its intended use in Germany or on applications for Certificates of Good Conduct (i.e. no criminal convictions). The consular fee is fixed at Euro 20.00 (to be paid in British Pounds)
When certifying signatures for powers of attorney and declarations of ratification in connection with the purchase or sale of property in Germany the consular fee is calculated by reference to a statutory fee table, by reference to the value of the underlying legal transaction.
The consular fee for certifying the authenticity of copies (as compared against original documents) is fixed at Euro 10.00 for up to 10 pages (to be paid in British Pounds).
Name Declarations
Applications regarding name declarations (birth, marriage, divorce) can be undertaken by the Honorary Consul in Newcastle, including certification of all signatures and copies of all original supporting documents, unless the matter is of extreme complexity. The current consular fee is EURO 25.00 for certifying the signature and EURO 10.00 for certifying copies of up to 10 pages.
For all questions related to Name Declarations, please click here
Pension matters
Recipients of a public pension from Germany must normally produce an annual life certificate to the pension provider. The signature of the pension recipient on the relevant form can be certified by the Honorary Consul, free of charge.
Renunciations of Inheritance
From time to time heirs wish to renounce their inheritance in relation to German estates. As a general rule, the heirs can declare their renouncement to the competent German probate court within six weeks after being informed about the death and their entitlement as heirs. The deadline is six months in case either the heir stayed outside of Germany (irrespective of his/her actual residence) at the time of death or if the deceased had his sole residence outside of Germany. All signatures on the relevant form must be certified by the Honorary Consul. The current consular fee is EURO 20.00
After certification of the signature, the form has to be sent to the competent probate court (Nachlassgericht) in Germany. In case the heir has children, the right of inheritance would usually pass on to them under intestacy rules and they would have to sign a separate renouncement form. In case of children who are underage, their legal representative(s) (i.e. usually both parents) will have to sign. In some cases the approval by the family court is necessary to renounce for children. The family court’s approval has to be submitted to the competent court of probate within the above mentioned deadline. The family court’s approval is not necessary in cases when the minor becomes an heir where the parent, who legally represents the minor, has renounced the inheritance.
The Honorary Consul unfortunately cannot offer legal advice regarding inheritance matters including the legal consequences and validity regarding a renouncement. You are therefore kindly asked to check with the German court directly whether the form has been received and accepted within the deadline. If necessary you may wish to avail yourself of a lawyer for detailed legal advice and further assistance.
Visas
Visa applications are not dealt with in Newcastle. Applicants should apply through the Consulate General in Edinburgh.
If you require an appointment with the Honorary Consul please apply by email, telephone or post to the consular assistant as follows:
German Honorary Consul: Mrs. Manuela Wendler
Address: c/o German Consular Office, Registrar’s Entrance, Newcastle Civic Centre, Newcastle upon Tyne, NE1 8PS; Tel: 079 5403 4744;
Email: newcastle-upon-tyne@hk-diplo.de
Honorary Consul Wendler looks forward to your visit.
Name
Honorary Consul Plymouth
Head
Mrs Angela Spatz
Tel.
07582 228976
Postal address
6 Lanveoc Way, Modbury, PL21 0FW
Administrative / consular district
Devon and Cornwall
Responsible mission: German Embassy London
A prior appointment is recommended.
Consular services:
authentication of signatures in matters relating to civil status/ civil law
authentication of signatures in pension matters (life certificates)
authentication of copies
applications for the issue of biometric passports
Name
Honorary Consul Southampton
Head
Richard Cutler
Tel.
023 8155 0065
Postal address
Totton & Eling Tennis Centre, Aikman Lane, Totton, Hampshire, SO40 8FT
Administrative / consular district
Dorset, Hampshire, Isle of Wight and Wiltshire
Responsible mission: German Embassy London
A prior appointment is recommended.

Consular services:
authentication of signatures in matters relating to civil status/ civil law
authentication of signatures in pension matters (life certificates)
authentication of copies
applications for the issue of biometric passports
More information from the Honorary Consul for Southampton, Mr Richard Cutler:
I am very proud to serve as the Honorary Consul for the Hampshire, Isle of Wight, Dorset and Wiltshire area, and have been in post since 2012. I was lucky to succeed a very well-respected and experienced Honorary Consul in Mr Roger Thornton, who fulfilled the role with grace and expertise for 37 years!
My appointments take place on Mondays and Fridays at the Totton & Eling Tennis Centre, which is the home of my business, Serving Tennis. As Honorary Consuls generally fulfil other employment alongside their role for the Federal Republic of Germany, appointments normally take place at the individual’s place of work. The role of Honorary Consul is essentially a voluntary position, and therefore duties often fit in alongside day-to-day work. The Federal Republic of Germany relies on a network of more than 300 Honorary Consuls worldwide, 17 of whom serve in the United Kingdom. Honorary Consuls do not necessarily need to be German citizens.
I often get asked about my own background and how I came to be an Honorary Consul. As a very brief summary, I studied German / Business Administration at Aston University, and then worked in Germany for a number of years as a contract manager in the logistics industry. This time took me primarily to Hamburg and Offenau (Stuttgart) and was a fascinating and immersing experience. My lifelong love has always been tennis, so when the opportunity came along to create a business in community tennis development, it did not take much thinking about! Although this meant that I did not have many opportunities to use my German language, I maintained links with the country through organisations such as the Southampton Anglo-German Society, Totton & Eling Twinning Association and British German Association. By 2012, as my business had become established and I had a little more time, I was therefore looking for a role that would allow me to both build on my links with Germany, and give me the opportunity to use my language. The Honorary Consul vacancy was therefore perfectly timed!
Please note that I am not able to take in/ process visa applications. For all visa related questions please contact the German Embassy in London.
The following list sets out my principal consular activities:
Passport applications
It is possible to apply for a German passport at my Southampton office. Unfortunately I cannot accept ID card applications.
The applicable fees, including an additional consular fee for applications processed in Southampton, have to be paid in British Pounds. As they depend on various circumstances (e.g. type of passport, age of applicant) they will be determined upon request or once an application has been filed. Please note that the passport fees payable to the Embassy in London must be made via Postal Order. The additional consular fee for applications processed in Southampton is payable in cash.
During the appointment, all original documents brought by the applicant are copied and then certified. All relevant biometric data is taken digitally, including finger prints and a facial photograph, and forwarded together with the paperwork to the Embassy in London within 24 working hours.
A new passport is issued in Germany within 4-6 weeks for a standard application, or 2-4 weeks for an express. The time needed for processing applications depends entirely upon the German authorities and cannot in any circumstances be influenced by the Honorary Consul or the German Embassy in London. Following receipt by the Embassy, new passports are then forwarded directly to applicant by Special Delivery post.
Certifications
The Honorary Consul can certify signatures on a document for its intended use in Germany or on applications for Certificates of Good Conduct (i.e. no criminal convictions). The consular fee is fixed at Euro 20.00 (or the comparable amount in British Pounds).
When certifying signatures for powers of attorney and declarations of ratification in connection with the purchase or sale of property in Germany, the consular fee is calculated by reference to a statutory fee table, related to the value of the underlying legal transaction.
The consular fee for certifying the authenticity of copies, as compared against original documents, is fixed at Euro 10.00 for up to 10 pages (or the comparable amount in British Pounds).
Name Declarations
Due to its complexity, the completion of the form for a name declaration is undertaken by the Embassy in London; nevertheless, all signatures and copies of all original supporting documents can be certified by the Honorary Consul. The current consular fee is Euro 25.00 for certifying the signature and Euro 10.00 for certifying copies of up to 10 pages.
For all initial questions related to Name Declarations, and to organise preparation of the document, please refer to the information provided on the Homepage of the German Embassy.
Pension matters
Recipients of a public pension from Germany must normally produce an annual life certificate to the pension provider. The signature of the pension recipient on the relevant form can be certified by the Honorary Consul, free of charge.
Renunciations of Inheritance
From time to time heirs wish to renounce their inheritance in relation to German estates. As a general rule, the heirs can declare their renouncement to the competent German probate court within six weeks after being informed about the death and their entitlement as heirs. The deadline is six months in case either the heir stayed outside of Germany (irrespective of his / her actual residence) at the time of death or if the deceased had his sole residence outside of Germany. All signatures on the relevant form must be certified by the Honorary Consul. The current consular fee is Euro 20.00
After certification of the signature, the form has to be sent to the competent probate court (Nachlassgericht) in Germany. In case the heir has children, the right of inheritance would usually pass on to them under intestacy rules and they would have to sign a separate renouncement form. In case of children who are underage, their legal representative(s) (i.e. usually both parents) will have to sign. In some cases the approval by the family court is necessary to renounce for children. The family court’s approval has to be submitted to the competent court of probate within the above mentioned deadline. The family court’s approval is not necessary in cases when the minor becomes an heir where the parent, who legally represents the minor, has renounced the inheritance.
The Honorary Consul unfortunately cannot offer legal advice regarding inheritance matters including the legal consequences and validity regarding a renouncement. You are therefore kindly asked to check with the German court directly whether the form has been received and accepted within the deadline. If necessary you may wish to avail yourself of a lawyer for detailed legal advice and further assistance.
If you require an appointment with the Honorary Consul please apply as follows:
Appointments are available, strictly by prior appointment, on Mondays and Fridays, although not necessarily both every week. For shorter appointments (for example signature/ photocopy authentications), appointments are usually available in 1-2 weeks. For passport applications the current waiting time is around 2-3 weeks. For emergencies, I will always do my best to find the earliest possible appointment.
In the first instance, please send an email to southampton@hk-diplo.de containing full details of your enquiry, and including your full name and contact telephone number. I will attempt to reply to all enquiries (or call back) within 2-3 working days, and often on the same day.
If you need to speak to me personally, please telephone 023 8155 0065. Please note that due to other work commitments, it is often difficult for me to take consular phone calls, and therefore an email will result in the quickest possible response.
N.B.Please be aware that my email responses sometimes fall into Spam/ Junk folders (especially with Gmail). Please check these folders regularly, and if affected, mark the reply as “Not Spam”. It also helps to add to your address book/ contacts.
Honorary Consul Richard Cutler is looking forward to your visit!
Name
Honorary Consul St Helier/Jersey
Head
Kenneth Soar
Tel.
01534280858
Postal address
Les Palmiers, La Rue des Vignes, St Peter, Jersey, JE3 7BE
Administrative / consular district
Jersey (Bailiwick of Jersey)
Responsible Mission: German Embassy London

A prior appointment is recommended.
Consular services:
authentication of signatures in matters relating to civil status/ civil law
authentication of signatures in pension matters (life certificates)
authentication of copies
applications for the issue of emergency travel documents
Name
Honorary Consul St Peter Port/ Guernsey
Head
Christopher Nicholas Betley
Tel.
01481 723456
Fax
01481 724934
Postal address
55 Le Bordage, St Peter Port, Guernsey, GY1 1BP
Administrative / consular district
Guernsey, Alderney, Sark, (Bailiwick of Guernsey)
Responsible Mission: German Embassy London
Website
http://www.germanconsulinguernsey.com/
A prior appointment is recommended.

Consular services:
authentication of signatures in matters relating to civil status/ civil law
authentication of signatures in pension matters (life certificates)
authentication of copies
applications for the issue of emergency travel documents
More information from the Honorary Consul for St Peter Port, Mr Christopher Nicholas Betley:
Dear readers,
From time to time I am asked what administrative acts are undertaken in my capacity as Honorary Consul for Germany within the Bailiwick of Guernsey (including the islands of Alderney, Sark and Herm).
Firstly, some background. The Federal Republic of Germany relies on a network of over 300 Honorary Consuls worldwide, 18 of whom serve in the United Kingdom. Honorary Consuls are volunteers who do not have to be German citizens. Honorary consuls do not receive a salary for their services and may combine their official role with private activities. Aiming primarily at securing the interests of Germany and its citizens in the United Kingdom/Channel Islands and fostering the relations between Germany and the United Kingdom/Channel Islands, Honorary Consuls support and complement the work of the German Embassy in London (and the Consulate General in Edinburgh) in a broad way. They are responsible for consular duties, cultural cooperation, promotion of trade and commerce, as well as building a positive and modern image of Germany abroad.
The following list sets out my principal consular activities:
Passport and visa applications
It is NOT possible to apply for a German passport or visa from my Guernsey office. Applications should be directed to the German Embassy in London, as detailed in the relevant section of this website.
However and in cases of emergency (e.g. lost or stolen passport), I can issue a German Emergency Travel Document which enables the holder to return to Germany.
Certifications
The Honorary Consul can certify signatures on a document for its intended use in Germany or on applications for certificates of Good Conduct (i.e. no criminal convictions). The consular fee is fixed at Euro 20.00 (to be paid in British Pounds).
When certifying signatures for powers of attorney and declarations of ratification in connection with the purchase or sale of property in Germany the consular fee is calculated by reference to a statutory fee table, by reference to the value of the underlying legal transaction.
The consular fee for certifying the authenticity of copies (as compared against original documents) is fixed at Euro 10.00 for up to 10 pages (to be paid in British Pounds).
Name Declarations
Due to its complexity, the completion of the form for a name declaration is undertaken by the Embassy in London; nevertheless, all signatures and copies of all original supporting documents can be certified by the Honorary Consul. The current consular fee is EURO 25.00 for certifying the signature and EURO 10.00 for certifying copies of up to 10 pages.
For all questions related to Name Declarations please refer to the information provided on the Homepage of the German Embassy at:
Pension matters
Recipients of a public pension from Germany must normally produce an annual life certificate to the pension provider. The signature of the pension recipient on the relevant form can be certified by the Honorary Consul, free of charge.
Renunciations of Inheritance
From time to time heirs wish to renounce their inheritance in relation to German estates. As a general rule, the heirs can declare their renouncement to the competent German probate court within six weeks after being informed about the death and their entitlement as heirs. The deadline is six months in case either the heir stayed outside of Germany (irrespective of his/her actual residence) at the time of death or if the deceased had his sole residence outside of Germany. All signatures on the relevant form must be certified by the Honorary Consul. The current consular fee is EURO 20.00.
After certification of the signature, the form has to be sent to the competent probate court (Nachlassgericht) in Germany. In case the heir has children, the right of inheritance would usually pass on to them under intestacy rules and they would have to sign a separate renouncement form. In case of children who are underage, their legal representative(s) (i.e. usually both parents) will have to sign. In some cases the approval by the family court is necessary to renounce for children. The family court’s approval has to be submitted to the competent court of probate within the above mentioned deadline. The family court’s approval is not necessary in cases when the minor becomes an heir where the parent, who legally represents the minor, has renounced the inheritance.
The Honorary Consul unfortunately cannot offer legal advice regarding inheritance matters including the legal consequences and validity regarding a renouncement. You are therefore kindly asked to check with the German court directly whether the form has been received and accepted within the deadline. If necessary you may wish to avail yourself of a lawyer for detailed legal advice and further assistance.
If you require an appointment with the Honorary Consul please apply by email, telephone or post.
Name
Honorary Consul of the Federal Republic of Germany
Head
Philipp Neumann, Honorary Consul
Town
British Virgin Islands
Tel.
+1 284 499 40 40
Postal address
Folio Chambers, PO Box 800, Road Town, Tortola, British Virgin Islands
Honorary Consul of the Federal Republic of Germany
Administrative / consular district
British Virgin Islands