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If you have German citizenship, you can apply for an identity card.

As a person with German citizenship, you can have an identity card issued. If you have reached the age of 16 and do not have a valid passport, you must apply for an ID card.
The period of validity of your ID card depends on your age at the time of application:

• Application under the age of 24: ID card is valid for 6 years.
• Application from the age of 24: ID card is valid for 10 years.

Your ID card loses its validity before the expiry date entered on it if

• Entries no longer apply 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.

There is one exception: a change of address or height will not invalidate your ID card.
You also have the option of applying for a temporary ID card. This is valid for a maximum of 3 months.
You can submit the application to your identity card authority at your main place of residence, which is usually the Citizens' Registration Office.
If there is an important reason, you can also apply for an ID card at an authority outside the jurisdiction of your place of residence. This may result in additional costs.

• Proof of identity, for example
  • old identity card,
  • valid passport or children's passport
• current biometric photograph
• birth certificate, if applicable
• If applicable: certificate with current name, for example
  • birth certificate, marriage certificate, marriage certificate,
  • family register
  • Declaration on the use of the name
• for children under the age of 16: Declaration of consent by the legal guardian
  • if there is only one parent or legal guardian, additional proof of custody

• You have German citizenship

For applications outside your main place of residence:

• You must be able to provide an important reason why you are not applying for the ID card at the ID card authority at your main place of residence.

If the validity of your old ID card has expired and you are over 16 years old, you must apply for a new ID card immediately if you do not have a valid passport document.

The EU logo on the front of the ID card introduced on August 2, 2021 will not invalidate ID cards without this logo.

• Issuing an identity card
• Any person with German citizenship can apply for an identity card
• Costs:
  • EUR 37.00 for applicants aged 24 and over
  • EUR 22.80 for applicants under the age of 24
  • EUR 10.00 for the temporary identity card
  • 13.00 EUR surcharge outside office hours or if the authority is not responsible
  • 30.00 EUR surcharge for applications for issuance by consular or diplomatic missions abroad
• Period of validity depends on age:
  • Persons under 24 years of age: 6 years
  • Persons aged 24 and over: 10 years
• The validity of the identity card expires if
  • entries no longer apply
  • the photograph no longer allows the identity to be clearly established
• Change of address does not lead to invalidity
• Processing time: Collection usually possible after 2 weeks
• Responsible:
  • Identity card authority (usually citizens' office) at the main place of residence
  • any other identity card authority in Germany (additional costs may be incurred)
  • German representation abroad

Within Germany:
To the municipal, district or city administration (Citizens' Office, formerly: Residents' Registration Office).

Outside Germany:
To the diplomatic mission in whose district you are staying.

Forms available: No.
Written form required: Yes.
Informal application possible: Yes.
Personal appearance required: Yes.
Online services available: No.