Apply for an identity card if you are under 16 years of age
Any person of any age with German citizenship can apply for an identity card. This also applies to children (from birth). If you are under 16, you must be accompanied by your parents. Your parents or legal guardians will submit the...
Any person of any age with German citizenship can apply for an identity card. This also applies to children (from birth). If you are under 16, you must be accompanied by your parents. Your parents or legal guardians will submit the application for you.
Your identity card is valid for 6 years and must then be applied for again. A provisional identity card is valid for a maximum of 3 months.
The identity card becomes invalid before the expiry of the entered period of validity if
- Entries become incorrect or
- the photo is no longer clearly suitable for identification. This can be the case in particular with ID cards for infants or young children.
The EU logo on the front of the ID card, introduced from August 2, 2021, does not mean that ID cards without this logo become invalid.
The new identity card is equipped with the function of electronic proof of identity. This function is automatically switched off for children and young people up to the age of 16. Later activation (from the age of 16) is possible free of charge in any identity card authority at your main residence.
You can submit the application to your identity card authority at your main place of residence, which is every customer center in Hamburg - Department of Resident Data.
Applications can be submitted to any other identity card authority if an important reason is given. In this case, a non-responsibility surcharge applies, which means that the costs of the issuance increase. The approval of the identity card authority at the main place of residence is required for the issuance of the identity card; this is obtained from the respective customer center.
Important notes
Prerequisites
- have German citizenship and
- are registered in Germany.
- You, or the person having custody, must be able to demonstrate an important reason why you do not apply for an identity card from the identity card authority at your main place of residence.
- If you are registered in Hamburg with a secondary residence, the approval of the identity card authority at the place of your main residence is required for the issuance of the ID document. When applying, a non-responsibility surcharge applies, which means that the costs of the issuance increase.
Documents required
- old identity card, old passport or children’s passport (valid or already expired)
- if no old identity document is available: birth certificate
- After naturalization: the naturalization certificate, old passport or identity card
- the presence of the guardian with whom the unmarried, minor child usually resides is mandatory.
- Declaration of consent and identification document of the parent with custody who is not present
- if there is only one legal guardian, proof of custody is also required
- Biometric passport photo: The photo must
- be up to date and
- meet the photo requirements for electronic ID cards/passports.
Please note
An ID card cannot be extended or changed. Therefore, a new identity card is always issued.
In urgent cases, you can also apply for a temporary identity card (valid for a maximum of 3 months) at the same time. This will be given to you immediately.
People without a permanent address or the homeless should contact the customer center in Hamburg-Mitte.
Deadlines
When you turn 16 at the latest, you must apply for an identity card. Exception: You have a valid passport document.
Validity period: 6 years
Comment (for more information on the deadline):
for applicants under the age of 24
Procedure & Fees
Procedure
- You can make an appointment online or by phone.
- For children and young people under the age of 16, both parents submit the application together if they have joint custody. A parent with custody can be represented by the other parent with custody by means of a power of attorney.
- The presence of the legal guardian with whom the unmarried, minor child usually resides is mandatory.
- The children and young people for whom the application is being made must also appear in person, as the authorities will check their identity. They must also sign if they are 10 years or older at the time of application.
- Fingerprints are taken from children from the age of 6 to be stored in the document.
- When you apply, your customer center will inform you when you can pick up your ID card.
- The identity card is produced centrally by Bundesdruckerei GmbH in Berlin.
- You can arrange the pick-up date online. You can find out what options your customer center offers when you apply for your identity card.
Processing time
The application usually takes about 15 minutes
The processing time is usually about 3 - 4 weeks.
Fees
- EUR 22.80
- EUR 10.00 for the provisional identity card
- EUR 13.00 surcharge when applying outside of working hours or at non-competent authorities
- EUR 30.00 surcharge for issue by consular or diplomatic representation abroad
Legal notes
Legal basis
Identity Card Act (PAuswG)
Downloads & Links
Forms and downloads
Related services
- Children's passport, first issue
- ID cards, apply for those who are 16 years of age or older
- ID cards, as electronic proof of identity
- ID cards, authorization to use a religious or artist name
- ID cards, have them blocked (if lost or stolen) or unblocked
- ID cards, new applications after loss, theft or name change
- ID cards, pick up
Links on hamburg.de
Links on the Internet
- Apply for an identity card without a domestic residence
- Federal Ministry of the Interior - Frequently asked questions about identity cards (external link)
- Federal Ministry of the Interior and Homeland - sample photo board (external link)
- ID cards, serial number
- Information on the identity card on the website of the Federal Ministry of the Interior and Homeland
Choose one of 24 facilities ...
Bergedorf customer center
Residential department
Weidenbaumsweg 21
Customer Center Altona
Specialist Office for Residents
Ottenser Marktplatz 10
Customer Center Barmbek-Uhlenhorst
Specialized Office for Residents
Poppenhusenstraße 6
Customer Center Billstedt
Customer Center Blankenese
Specialist Office for Residents
Sülldorfer Kirchenweg 2a
Customer Center Eimsbüttel
Specialist Office for Residents
Grindelberg 62-66
Customer Center Eimsbüttel
Specialist Office for Residents
Grindelberg 62-66
Customer center in the middle
Customer center in the middle
Customer center in the middle
Customer center in the middle
Customer Center Finkenwerder
Customer Center Hamburg-Nord
Specialized Office for Residents
Lenhartzstraße 28
Customer Center Langenhorn
Specialized Office for Residents
Langenhorner Markt 7
Lokstedt customer center
Residential department
Garstedter Weg 11
Customer Center Wilhelmsburg
Customer Center Harburg
Population data
Harburger Rathausforum 3
Wandsbek customer center
Customer Center Süderelbe
Customer Center Bramfeld
Alstertal customer center
Walddörfer customer center
Walddörfer customer center
Rahlstedt customer center
Residential department
Rahlstedter Straße 151-157
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Last updated: 29.03.2023