Apply for an identity card as a temporary identity card

• § Section 3 Act on Identity Cards and Electronic Proof of Identity (Identity Card Act - PauswG) - Provisional identity card
• § Section 9 of the Identity Card Act (PAuswG)
• Title: Regulation on Fees for Identity Cards and eID Cards

• Biometric digital passport photo: taken on site at the authority or by a registered domestic photo service provider (photographer)
• an old identity document, regardless of whether it is still valid or has already expired:
  • old identity card or passport
  • old child passport
• if you do not have an old identity card or passport:
  • Birth certificate
• for children under 16:
  • parents with custody:
    • a valid identity document (identity card or passport) for each parent
    • if only one parent with parental responsibility is present: a declaration of consent from the parent with parental responsibility who is not present, as well as a copy of their identity document
  • where there is only one parent with custody:
    • valid identity document (identity card or passport)
    • Proof of custody

From 1 May 2025, only digitally created biometric photographs will be accepted in the application process.
The photograph can be taken by external service providers (e.g. photographers) who make it available to the ID card authority in a cloud for retrieval.
Alternatively, digital photos can usually also be taken at the ID card authority. Find out before your appointment whether the photo can be taken at the authority.
Printed passport photos you have brought with you or digital passport photos you have taken yourself cannot (or can no longer) be processed.
 

You can apply for a provisional identity card under the following conditions:

• You hold German citizenship
• You are registered in Germany
• You do not have a valid identity card
• You urgently need a valid identity document.

You must apply for the temporary identity card in person.

• Apply for the temporary identity card at the citizens' office at your main place of residence.
• If you do not apply for your temporary ID card at your main place of residence, you need an important reason. Please contact your chosen Citizens' Registration Office to find out whether they will recognise your reason.
• The Citizens’ Service Centre will usually issue you with a provisional identity card straight away.

Please note: The provisional identity card is an exception. If you wish to apply for one twice in succession, the relevant authority may refuse your application.

• Information on identity cards on the Federal Ministry of the Interior’s (BMI) identity card portal)
• Questions and answers on the subject of "biometrics" and passport photos on the ID card portal

The following information is available:

• The provisional identity card is an exception; it is valid for a maximum of three months and is not intended to replace a regular identity card in the long term, even through successive, repeated applications. Identity cards must meet high security standards, including a storage and processing medium for the photograph and fingerprints. The provisional identity card does not have this feature.
• You can apply for both the provisional and the new, standard identity card at the same time whilst in Germany, but you are not obliged to do so.
• You cannot apply for a provisional identity card at German diplomatic missions abroad.
• If your identity card is stolen or you lose it, you must report this to the police or an identity card issuing authority, such as the town hall or the citizens’ advice bureau.