Storage of fingerprints in the identity card

Prerequisites

• German(s) within the meaning of Art. 116 Para. 1 Basic Law (GG

Documents required

• proof of identity

Please note

• The storage of fingerprints has been mandatory for newly issued identity cards throughout Europe since August 2, 2021.
• If an index finger is missing, the fingerprint is of insufficient quality or the fingertip is injured, the flat print of either the thumb, the middle finger or the ring finger is saved as a substitute.
• Only authorities that are legally authorized to determine identity may read the biometric data in the chip. These are set out in Section 17 of the Personal Identity Card Act (PAuswG).

Deadlines

no

Procedure

• Fingerprints can only be submitted during the application process for an ID card.
• The prints are stored in the electronic storage and processing medium of the identity card in the form of the flat print of the left and right index fingers.

Processing time

• 15 minutes

Fees

There are no costs.

Legal remedies

no

Legal basis

• § 5 paragraph 9 Personal Identity Card Act (PAuswG)
  https://www.gesetze-im-internet.de/pauswg/__5.html

Your fingerprints will be saved when you apply for an ID card. This is mandatory for people aged 6 and over. The prints are stored in the electronic storage and processing medium of the identity card in the form of the flat print of the left and right index fingers.