Passport expires soon... what now?

[JasVW19 18]

Hi all,

 

I am German Citizen with Permanent Residency in the US.

My passport is going to expire at the end of 2021 and I am trying to figure out the best way to extend it. Here is the dilemma:

My status here in the US is married with the married name Shappy. In Germany however, we never changed my status, so I am still not married and my name is Wald.

 

If I would want to extend my passport at the embassy in the US, then I would first need to get my status changed to married, then request a name change and then would be able to do that.

Ideally I wanted to avoid all of this and just fly to Germany and extend it there without changing anything.

 

But then... Covid happened. Now I am not sure with all the travel restrictions in place, if I am even 

1. able to go to Germany (even though I am a citizen)
2. and come back after (even though I am a permanent resident and live and work here)

 

Another thought was to just start applying for dual citizenship (time wise I could), but I wouldn't want to rely on this either as I would first have to request the dual citizenship in Germany, plus I am sure I will need a valid passport to even do that...

 

Do you have any more insights around all this and what might and might not be possible?

 

Thanks already! You all are the best.

[HRQX 4,145]

1 hour ago, JasVW19 said:

able to go to Germany (even though I am a citizen)

Yes, but you'll need a Covid test: https://www.auswaertiges-amt.de/en/einreiseundaufenthalt/coronavirus "must carry proof that they have been tested for infection with SARS-CoV-2 coronavirus with them upon entry and present it to the competent authorities upon request and, if necessary, to the transport company prior to travelling."

1 hour ago, JasVW19 said:

and come back after (even though I am a permanent resident and live and work here)

Yes, but you'll also need another Covid test: https://www.cdc.gov/quarantine/fr-proof-negative-test.html "proof of a negative COVID-19 test or documentation of having recovered from COVID-19 for all air passengers arriving from a foreign country to the US."

 

Here is more info: https://uk.usembassy.gov/visas/u-s-visa-and-travel-faqs/

If you travel, please follow the steps below:

• Do not attempt to check in for your flight online if you have an ESTA registration.
• Arrive early for your flight.
• Carry as many original documents as you have available that you believe demonstrate why you have been excepted from a travel restriction, such as a Permanent Resident Card (commonly known as a Green Card), a marriage certificate, or a birth certificate. We are unable to provide guidance about your documents or whether copies will be considered sufficient as such questions are a matter for CBP when you travel.
• You may also wish to carry a printed copy of the Presidential Proclamation itself.
• Your status will be reviewed in consultation with U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officials. Please note that smaller airports may not have CBP officials on site.
• If applicable in your case, your ESTA will be reinstated in order to allow you to board.