Apply for an identity card
Service description
As a person with German citizenship, you can have an identity card issued.
If you are 16 years or older and do not have a valid passport, you must apply for an identity card.
You can submit the application to the identity card authority in the town or municipality where you have your main residence. This is usually the town hall or citizens' office.
If there is an important reason, you can also apply for an ID card at an authority in any other town or municipality. This may incur additional costs.All ID cards issued on or after July 2017 automatically come with an activated online ID function. This allows you to verify your identity online with government agencies and businesses. You may use the online ID function after your 16th birthday. When you apply for an ID card, you will receive a one-time PIN that allows you to set a six-digit PIN of your choice. After that, you can use the online ID function.
When you apply for an ID card, the fingerprints of both your index fingers are usually stored on the card’s chip. Children under the age of 6 are exempt from this requirement.
Your ID card will become invalid before the period of validity expires if
- Information is no longer accurate
Exception: If only your address or height changes, your ID card will not become invalid
or
- your photo is no longer clearly suitable for identification purposes. This may be the case in particular with ID cards for infants or very young children
You can enter all countries of the European Union (EU) as well as Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway and Switzerland with your valid identity card. A passport is not mandatory.
If you urgently need an identity document, you can first apply for a temporary identity card. This is valid for a maximum of 3 months.
- Information is no longer accurate
Prerequisites
- You or the child for whom the application is to be made have German citizenship
- for children under the age of 16:
- You have parental authority.
- Your child is present when the application is submitted.
If you apply for an identity card outside the city or municipality in which you have your main residence:
- You provide an important reason why you are not applying for the ID card at the ID card authority in the city where you have your main residence.
Special information for the city of Idar-ObersteinThe person for whom the document is to be issued must appear in person when applying. This also applies to minors.
What documents are required?
- old identity document, regardless of whether it is valid or has already expired:
- old identity card or passport
- old child passport
- if no old identity card or passport is available:
- Birth certificate
- Biometric digital passport photo: taken on site at the authority or by a registered domestic photo service provider (photographer)
- Certificate with current name, if applicable, for example
- Birth, marriage and marriage certificate
- Family book
- Declaration on the use of the name
- on application for children under the age of 16:
- custodial parent:
- Valid identification document (identity card or passport) from each parent
- if only one custodial parent is present: declaration of consent from the custodial parent who is not present and a copy of their ID card
- with only one custodial parent:
- Valid identification document (identity card or passport)
- Proof of custody
- custodial parent:
Special information for the city of Idar-Oberstein
In individual cases, it may be necessary to submit further documents (e.g. to prove marital status or nationality).
If you have any doubts about which documents to bring, we advise you to contact us by telephone on 06781-64 3800- old identity document, regardless of whether it is valid or has already expired:
What deadlines do I have to observe?
You must apply for a new ID card immediately if
- your old ID card has expired, you are over 16 years old, and you do not have a valid passport.
for applicants under the age of 24
Period of validity: 6 years
for applicants aged 24 and over
Period of validity: 10 years
Legal basis
What else should I know?
- If your ID card is stolen or lost, you must report this to the police or an ID card authority. In these cases, the authorities will report the online ID card to the blocking hotline and arrange for it to be blocked.
- The EU logo on the front of the ID card introduced on August 2, 2021 will not invalidate ID cards without this logo.
Applications / Forms