If you are a German citizen, you can apply for an identity card. This applies to children from birth. If you are under 16, you must be accompanied by your parents. Your parents or legal guardians will submit the application on your behalf.
Your identity card is valid for a maximum of 6 years. When you turn 16, you must have a valid identity card if you do not have a valid passport.
The identity card becomes invalid before the expiry date entered in the following cases:
- Entries are no longer accurate, for example, if your name has changed.
- You are no longer clearly recognizable in your photo. This can be the case, in particular, with ID cards for infants or small children.
You can submit the application to the ID card authority at your main place of residence. This is usually the local government office. Applications can be submitted to any other ID card authority if you have an important reason. You will then have to pay a surcharge.
From your 16th birthday, you can use your identity card as electronic proof of identity (online ID). For children and young people up to the age of 16, this function is automatically deactivated. If you are at least 16 years old, you can have the function activated retrospectively free of charge, for example at the citizens' office, and at the same time set a six-digit PIN of your choice before you can use the online ID card.
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.
If you are under 16 years of age, you can be issued with an identity card if you are a German citizen.
To apply outside your main place of residence:
- You or your legal guardian must have a valid reason for not applying for your identity card at the citizens' office in your main place of residence.
Your parents or legal guardians must apply for your identity card in person at the Bürgeramt (citizens' office) together with you:
- Your parents submit the application jointly if they have joint custody.
- A parent with custody can be represented by the other parent with custody by power of attorney.
- You must sign if you are 10 years of age or older at the time of application.
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When submitting the application, it is a legal requirement to provide fingerprints for storage in the document (usually a flat print of the left and right index fingers).
- Persons under the age of 6 do not provide fingerprints.
- You will receive a one-time PIN and the unlock code (PUK) in a sealed envelope. You will only need this information after your 16th birthday.
- When you apply, your local government office will inform your parents when they can pick up your identity card.
- At many local authorities, your parents can arrange a collection appointment online, by email, or by phone.
- You can find out what options your local government office offers on its website, for example.
If your identity card is stolen, you must report this to the police. If you lose your identity card, you can block it by calling the blocking hotline.
You must apply for an identity card by the time you turn 16 at the latest. Exception: You have a valid passport or temporary passport.
- Validity period: 6 years
For applicants under the age of 24.
