Apply for a temporary identity card

Prerequisites

• They possess German citizenship.
• They must be present in person when submitting the application.

You are required to carry identification if you

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

If you are under 16 years of age:

• At least one parent or legal guardian must submit the application together with you. (Please note the required documents).

For applications submitted outside your main residence:

• You provide an important reason why you are not applying for the identity card at the authority responsible for your main residence.
• The authority responsible for your main residence will approve it. Approval will be obtained by the office where 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 personal data, for example
  • Birth, marriage, and wedding certificates
  • Declaration regarding the use of names
• current biometric passport photo in electronic form
  • You are no longer allowed to submit paper-based photos from May 1st, 2025 onwards.
  • The photo must be provided digitally and transmitted to the responsible authority via a secure cloud service. You can bring the QR code provided by a photographer for this purpose. Alternatively, you can take the photo on-site. A photo booth (self-service terminal) is available. The cost for an on-site photo is €6.00. You will not receive a printed copy. Please note that the photo booth is not suitable for taking passport photos of infants and toddlers.
• for children under 16 years of age
  • Proof of custody in cases of sole custody
  • Declaration of consent and identity card (alternatively a clearly legible and recognizable copy of the identity card) of absent legal guardians in the case of shared custody.
  • The presence of the children for whom a document is being requested is required.
• Declaration of consent and identity card of all absent legal guardians in cases of shared custody
• After naturalization: passport or identity card from the country of birth or identity certificate, naturalization certificate

Please note

Deadlines

The validity period is a maximum of 3 months.

Procedure

• You can make an appointment online or by calling 115.
• If you do not want to apply for a temporary identity card at the place of your primary residence, find out whether your reason for doing so will be accepted.
• You will appear in person at the appointment - if necessary together with all other relevant persons - and apply for the provisional identity card by submitting the necessary documents.
• You pay the fee.
• The temporary identity card will be issued to you immediately after processing on site.

Processing time

You will receive the provisional identity card immediately.

Fees

10.00 EUR


Surcharge for applications not submitted at the main residence: EUR 13.00

Legal remedies

No

Legal basis

Identity Card Act (PAuswG)


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