Landungsbrücken

Applying for an identity card because of a name change after a divorce

Did you get divorced and then changed your family name? Then you need to apply for a new identity card if you do not have a valid passport document with the new name.

Important notes

Prerequisites

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

  • have German citizenship,
  • have reached the age of 16 and
  • are registered in Germany,
  • do not have a valid passport or temporary passport with the new name.
For the application outside of your main place of residence:
  • You must be able to demonstrate an important reason why you are not applying 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 ID card or passport (with the old name) and, if available, valid passport (with the new name)
  • Current passport photo, which must meet the photo requirements for electronic ID cards.
    The requirements for the passport photo can be found in the photo sample table (see the link “Federal Ministry of the Interior and Homeland - Photo sample table”, at the bottom of this page under “Forms, Service & Links”).

    A photo booth (speed capture terminal) is available. The fee for a photo on site is EUR 6.00. You will not receive a printout. Please note that the existing photo booth is not suitable for taking passport photos of infants and small children.
  • Certificate of name use from the registry office
  • final divorce decree

Please note

There are the following hints:

  • 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 Hamburg Service Hamburg-Mitte.

Deadlines

You must apply for the new identity card immediately after the name change.


Exception: You have a valid passport document, i.e. passport or provisional passport, with the new name.




The period of validity depends on your age at the time of application:


  • under 24 years: identity card is valid for 6 years.

  • 24 years and older: ID card is valid for 10 years.

A provisional identity card is valid for a maximum of 3 months.

Procedure & Fees

Procedure

You can apply for an identity card in person at the Hamburg Service or, if you have more than one place of residence, at the identity card authority at your main place of residence. You can also apply for your identity card at any other identity card authority. But you need an important reason for this. If you contact the identity card authority you have selected beforehand, you can find out whether and to what extent they will recognize your reason.

  • You can make an appointment online or by phone.
  • When you apply, your Hamburg Service will inform you when you can pick up your identity card.
  • Your identity card is produced centrally by Bundesdruckerei GmbH in Berlin.
  • When applying, fingerprints are taken for storage in the document.
  • You can arrange the pick-up date online. You can find out what options your Hamburg Service offers when you apply for your identity card.

Processing time

The application usually takes about 15 minutes.


The processing time is usually around 3-4 weeks.

Fees


  • EUR 37.00 for applicants aged 24 and over

  • EUR 22.80 for applicants under the age of 24

  • EUR 10.00 for the provisional identity card

  • EUR 13.00 surcharge when applying outside of working hours or not at the main residence

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

Fee reductions or waivers are available for those in need. An application must be made. The Hamburg Service decides on the application.

Legal notes

Legal remedies

no

Legal basis

Service description

After a name change, your identity card is no longer valid. If you have had your surname changed, for example after a divorce or the annulment of a civil partnership, you must apply for a new ID card.

There is one exception: as long as you have a valid passport document, i.e. passport or provisional passport, with the new name, you do not have to apply for a new identity card.

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 period of validity depends on your age at the time of application:

  • under 24 years: identity card is valid for 6 years.
  • 24 years and older: ID card is valid for 10 years.
A provisional identity card is valid for a maximum of 3 months.

You can submit the application to any Hamburg Service. Applications can be submitted to any other identity card authority if there is an important reason. 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 will be obtained from Hamburg Service.

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