The information on your identity card must always be up to date.

Data that may change, for example:

• Last name due to marriage and name change
• Address due to moving to a different primary residence
• Change of first name(s) due to a declaration under the Self-Determination Act

Changes to the information on your identity card, with the exception of your address or height, mean that you will need a new identity card.

You can apply for your new identity card at your identity card authority at your main place of residence. This is usually the local government office. You can also apply at any other local government office if you can provide a valid reason. Please check with your chosen authority in advance to find out the conditions under which this is possible. There is also an additional fee for lack of jurisdiction.

If you change your address, you do not need a new ID card, but the chip on the card must be changed and the address field on the back must be covered with the new address. You can do this at the citizens' office of the city or municipality where you have your new main residence. In some municipalities, you can apply for re-registration digitally (electronic residence registration), which eliminates the need to visit the citizens' office.

You are required to show identification if you:

• are a German citizen
• are at least 16 years of age
• are registered in Germany

If you have a valid passport and all the information contained in the passport is up to date, applying for an identity card is voluntary.

The following applies if you are applying outside your main place of residence:

• You must be able to provide a compelling reason why you are not applying for an identity card at the identity card office in your main place of residence.
   

If your identity card is stolen or lost, you must report this to the police or a public office. In this case, the online identity card will be reported to the blocking hotline by the authorities and the card will be blocked.

If the information on your identity card is no longer up to date, you must have it changed as soon as possible.

• Validity period: 10 years
  For applicants over the age of 24.
• Validity period: 6 years
  For applicants under the age of 24.

The change of address on your identity card will be made immediately by the Citizens' Office.

If you apply for a new identity card, it usually takes at least two weeks before you can pick it up at the Bürgeramt.

Change of address:

• Identity card
• If applicable, power of attorney and identification document of the authorized representative
• Landlord's confirmation
  
  

Name change due to marriage:

• A current biometric passport photo
• Previous identity card
• Certificate from the registry office confirming the date of marriage and the future name
• Please present your marriage certificate when you come to collect your passport.
  
  

Changing your name due to divorce

• A current, biometric passport photo
• Previous identity card
• Certificate from the registry office confirming the new name

Change other personal data

• A current, biometric passport photo
• Previous identity card
• Proof of the data to be changed, e.g., certificate from the registry office confirming the new name

Registration of a doctoral title

• A current biometric passport photo
• Previous identity card
• Doctorate certificate (we require the original certificate in German)

You can inquire with the Central Office for Foreign Education (ZAB) at the Secretariat of the Standing Conference of the Ministers of Education and Cultural Affairs to find out whether a doctoral degree obtained abroad is recognized in Germany.

Graurheindorfer Straße 157

53117 Bonn

P.O. Box 2240

53012 Bonn

Phone

zabservicekmkorg

A reduction or exemption from fees is possible under certain conditions.

• Fee: EUR 15.
  00 Fee for shipping to your home address
• Fee: EUR 6.
  00 Fee for passport photo if taken by the authorities
• Fee: EUR 37.
  00 New identity card for applicants aged 24 and over
• Fee: EUR 13.
  00 Surcharge for applications submitted outside office hours or to the wrong authority
• Fee: EUR 30.
  00 Issuance of a new identity card by a consular or diplomatic mission abroad
• Fee: Free of charge
  Changing your address is free of charge.
• Fee: EUR 22.
  80 New identity card for applicants under the age of 24

Cash / EC