apply for an ID card

Prerequisites

• You have German citizenship

The identification requirement applies to you if you also

• have reached the age of 16
• are registered in Germany
• do not have a valid passport

If you are under 16 years of age:

• A parent or legal guardian will submit the application together with you. If you have shared custody, the parent or legal guardian with whom you primarily reside must be present.

For applications outside your main residence:

• You provide an important reason why you do not apply for an identity card at the authority responsible for your main residence.
• The competent authority at your primary residence approves. Approval is obtained from the authority to which you intend to submit the application.

Documents required

• Proof of identity, for example
  • old identity card
  • valid passport or child's passport
  • birth certificate if applicable
• all necessary documents and evidence if there has been a change in the personal data, for example
  • Birth, marriage, marriage certificate
  • Declaration on the use of names
• for children under 16 years of age
  • Proof of custody in the case of sole custody
  • Consent form and identity card of all absent legal guardians in case of shared custody
• current biometric passport photo
  • 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.
• after naturalization:
  • Passport or ID card of the country of birth or a certificate of identity
  • Naturalization certificate

Note: A photo booth (speed capture terminal) is available. The fee for an on-site photo is €6.00. You will not receive a print. Please note that the photo booth is not suitable for taking passport photos of infants and small children.

Please note

• If you urgently need an identification document, you can apply for a temporary identity card, which will then be valid for a maximum of 3 months.
• Your identity card will become invalid if, for example, your last name changes or if the photo is no longer suitable for identification. This can be particularly true for ID cards for infants or young children. In these cases, you will need to apply for a new identity card. If you have a new address, you can have your identity card changed and do not need a new one. If data such as your height changes, this will not affect your identity card.
• If you live in Hamburg without a permanent residence, please contact the Residents' Affairs office in Hamburg-Mitte for identity card matters.

Deadlines

If you do not have a valid passport, you must have an identity card from your 16th birthday.




Period of validity:

• Application under 24 years of age: Identity card is valid for 6 years.


• Application from age 24: Identity card is valid for 10 years.

Procedure

• You can make an appointment online or by calling 115.
  • If you do not want to apply for your identity card at the place of your main residence, find out whether your reason for doing so will be accepted.
    Inform the non-responsible identity card authority of your intended application so that it can obtain authorization from the responsible identity card authority in advance.
    You will receive a message when the authorization is available
    You can make an appointment online or by phone by calling 115
• You appear in person at your appointment and apply for the identity card.
• You submit the necessary documents.
• Your fingerprints will be taken for storage on your identity card.
• 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

The fees are

• 37.00 EUR for applicants aged 24 and over


• EUR 22.80 for applicants under 24 years of age


• 10.00 EUR for the provisional identity card


• 13.00 EUR surcharge for applications submitted to non-competent authorities

Legal remedies

Complaint or objection

Legal basis

Identity Card Act (PAuswG)

www.gesetze-im-internet.de/pauswg/BJNR134610009.html