You can report the loss of your identity card

• to any identity card authority, usually the local citizens' office, or
• the police.

You must also apply for a new identity card if you

• are over 16 years of age, are registered in Germany, and
• do not have a valid passport or temporary passport.

You can apply for a new identity card at the citizens' office in your main place of residence.

All identity cards automatically have an online ID function. This function is generally activated for identity cards issued from July 2017 onwards. This allows you to identify yourself to authorities and companies for online services with a high level of trust once you have set a six-digit PIN of your choice. You may use the online ID after your 16th birthday.

When you apply for your identity card, the fingerprints of both your index fingers are stored on the chip of the card. Children under the age of 6 are exempt from this regulation. 

If you find your identity card again, you must report this in person to your identity card authority. Only then will the entry be deleted from the police records.

If you have not applied for a new identity card, you can continue to use your reported lost card without restriction within Germany until it expires.

• You have lost your identity card and reported this accordingly.

If you want to report the loss of your identity card:

• Report the loss to an identity card authority, usually the citizens' office, or to the police. You can report the loss in person. Many municipalities also offer a digital option for reporting a loss.

If you want to apply for a new identity card after losing your old one, proceed as follows: 

• Make an appointment at your local citizens' office.
  • If you are not applying for your identity card at your main place of residence, you will need a valid reason and will have to pay a surcharge on the fee.
• Bring the necessary documents with you.
• You pay the fee.
• Your fingerprints will be taken on site and stored in the chip of the ID document.
• You will immediately receive a new one-time PIN to activate the online ID function on your newly applied-for identity card. You decide when you want to use this option.
• Your local government office will inform you when you can pick up your ID card when you apply.
  • Alternatively, in many cases, you can have the ID document sent by mail to your home address and delivered personally to your door if you are 16 years of age or older.

If you lose your ID card, you can also block its online function yourself by calling the blocking hotline.

You must report the loss as soon as possible.

• Validity period: 10 years Your identity card
  will be valid for 10 years if you apply for it at the age of 24 or older.
• Validity period 6 years
  Validity period of your identity card if you apply for it before the age of 24.

Once you have submitted your application, it usually takes at least two weeks before you can collect your identity card from the citizens' office.

• Biometric digital passport photo: taken on site at the government office or by a registered domestic photo service provider, such as a photographer
• if available and not yet canceled: passport 
• if no valid passport is available: birth certificate or marriage certificate
• if available: police report of loss
• For children under 16: declaration of consent from the absent parent with custody, if applicable
  • if there is only one legal guardian, additional proof of custody
• If available: valid or expired child's passport

A fee reduction or exemption is possible under certain conditions.

• Fee: EUR 15.
  00 Fee for shipping to your home address if the applicant is 16 years of age or older.
• Fee: EUR 10.
  00 For a temporary identity card.
• Fee: EUR 46.
  00 For applicants aged 24 and over.
• Fee: EUR 30.
  00 Surcharge for issuance by consular or diplomatic missions abroad.
• Fee: €27.60
  For applicants under 24 years of age.
• Fee: EUR 13.
  00 Surcharge for applications submitted outside office hours or not at the main place of residence.
• Fee: EUR 6.
  00 Fee for passport photo if the authority uses the PointID photo system from Bundesdruckerei GmbH. If the authority uses photo systems from other manufacturers, the fee may vary.

Cash / EC