Apply for a new identity card if you lose it

Prerequisites

The obligation to apply for an identity card applies to you if you

• who have German citizenship,
• have reached the age of 16,
• are registered in Germany,
• do not have a valid passport or temporary passport.

For applications outside your main residence:

• You must be able to provide a valid reason why you are not applying for an identity card at the identity card authority at your main residence.
• If you are registered as having a secondary residence in Hamburg, approval from the identity card authority at your primary residence is required to issue the ID card. A non-competence surcharge will be charged upon application, which increases the costs of issuing the ID card.

Documents required

• Biometric passport photo: The photo must
  • be up to date and
  • meet the photo requirements for electronic identity cards.
  • Starting May 1, 2025, you must submit your passport photo electronically. You can have the photo taken on-site or bring a QR code, which the photo studio will provide you with when the photo is taken.
• If available and not yet validated: old identity card or passport or temporary identity card or child's passport (valid or expired)
• If no valid passport or identity card is available: birth certificate, marriage certificate
  If your last identity card or passport was not issued in Hamburg, please contact the Hamburg Service by telephone in advance.
• if available: police report of loss
• For children under 16 years of age: if applicable, consent from the parent with custody who is not present
  • If there is only one parent/guardian, proof of custody is also required

Please note

There are the following hints:

• If your last identity card or passport was not issued in Hamburg, please telephone Hamburg Service in advance.
• An extension or change of the identity card is not possible. 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 Hamburg Service Hamburg-Mitte.

Deadlines

• You must report the loss to the police as soon as possible.


• Processing time: Approximately 3-4 weeks from application

Procedure

To apply for a new identity card after loss, proceed as follows:

• You can make an appointment online or by phone.
• Report the loss to an identity card authority, usually the Hamburg Service, or to the police. You can submit the loss report informally in writing or in person.
• If you wish to apply for a new ID card at the Hamburg Service at the same time, you must do so in person and bring the necessary documents with you.
• When applying, fingerprints are taken for storage in the document.
• You provide a signature, which will later be printed on your identity card.
• The identity card will be ordered for you from an external office.
• You will receive a collection slip with which you can collect your identity card.
• When you submit your application, you will receive a letter (PIN letter) containing a so-called transport PIN as well as important information about the online ID function.
• You confirm receipt of the unopened PIN letter.
• You pay the fees.
• You will receive a collection slip with which you can collect your identity card.
• After you have been informed that your identity card is ready for collection, collect it from the location where you applied for it.

Processing time

The application process takes approximately 15 minutes. You can pick up your identity card at the location where you applied approximately 2-3 weeks after the application.

Fees

• EUR 37.00 for applicants aged 24 and over


• EUR 22.80 for applicants under 24 years of age


• EUR 10.00 for the provisional identity card


• EUR 13.00 surcharge if application is submitted outside working hours or not at the main residence


• EUR 30.00 surcharge for issuance by consular or diplomatic representation abroad

Legal remedies

no

Legal basis

§ 9 Personal Identity Card Act (PAuswG)

https://www.gesetze-im-internet.de/pauswg/__9.html