Apply for an identity card

As a person with German citizenship, you can have an identity card issued.

If you are 16 years or older and do not have a valid passport, you must apply for an identity card.

You can submit the application to the identity card authority in the town or municipality where you have your main residence. This is usually the town hall or citizens' office.
If there is an important reason, you can also apply for an ID card at an authority in any other town or municipality. This may incur additional costs.

All ID cards issued from July 2017 onwards automatically have an activated online ID function. This allows you to identify yourself to authorities and companies online. You can use the online ID card after your 16th birthday. When you apply for an ID card, you will receive a one-time PIN so that you can set a six-digit PIN of your choice. You can then use the online ID card.

When you apply for your ID card, the prints of your two index fingers are usually stored on the chip of the ID card. Children under the age of 6 are excluded from this regulation.

Your ID card will become invalid before the period of validity expires if

• entries no longer apply
  Exception: If only your address or your height changes, this does not invalidate your ID card

or

• your photo is no longer clearly suitable for identification purposes. This may be the case in particular with ID cards for infants or very young children

If you wish, you can provide your authority with your e-mail address to receive a reminder approximately 6 months before the expiry date.

You can enter all countries of the European Union (EU) as well as Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway and Switzerland with your valid identity card. A passport is not mandatory.

If you urgently need an identity document, you can first apply for a temporary identity card. This is valid for a maximum of 3 months.

• § Section 9 Act on Identity Cards and Electronic Proof of Identity (Identity Card Act - PAuswG)
• ID card and eID card fee ordinance

• 1 biometric, digital photograph (not older than 6 months):
  - You can have a digital, biometric photograph taken by a certified provider and bring the corresponding QR code with you to your appointment.
  - Alternatively, you can have a digital, biometric photograph taken directly on site during your appointment using the recording devices in the Citizens' Office. The fee for this is €6.00.
  Please note: For children under the age of 5, it may not be possible to take a suitable digital biometric photo using the Citizens' Office's photo capture devices, as children of this age are often not yet able to follow the necessary device instructions sufficiently. We therefore recommend that you have a digital, biometric photo taken in advance by an external, certified provider.
• Existing identity document
• a current civil status certificate depending on marital status:
  • Single = birth certificate
  • Married = marriage certificate
  • Divorced = certified copy from the marriage register with note of dissolution or marriage certificate and divorce decree with note of legal force
  • Widowed = certified copy from the marriage register with a note of dissolution or marriage certificate and death certificate of the spouse
• Declaration of consent from both parents, up to the age of 16 (see forms)
• Declaration of custody, if applicable, until the child reaches the age of 16
• Naturalization certificate, if applicable

additionally in the case of a stolen/lost identity card:

• Completion of the criminal complaint
• Proof of identity

Tip:
Allow two weeks to pass before you apply for a new ID card; you may find it again.

Further documents may be requested in individual cases. 

• Identity card for persons under 24 years of age: €27.60 and valid for six years
• Identity card for persons over 24 years: €46 and valid for ten years
• Temporary identity card: €10.00 valid for a maximum of 3 months

Further information on entry requirements can be found on the website of the Federal Foreign Office. 

• Information on the ID card on the website of the Federal Ministry of the Interior (BMI)
• Questions and answers on the subject of "biometrics" and "passport photos" on the ID card portal
• Information on blocking the ID card in the event of loss on the ID card portal of the Federal Ministry of the Interior (BMI)

• Declaration of consent for the issue / application / collection of a passport / ID card