Applying for an ID card for the first time
Full text
As a German national aged 16 or over, you are required to hold a valid identity card or a valid passport.
If you wish, you can apply for your identity card earlier.
You can use your identity card to prove your identity to public authorities and businesses. You can also travel to all countries in the European Union (EU) with it.
You should apply for your identity card at the identity card office in your main place of residence, which is usually the town hall or the citizens’ advice bureau. You may apply at any other citizens’ advice bureau if you have a valid reason for doing so. This may incur additional costs.
Identity cards contain an electronic proof of identity, known as the ‘online ID’. You can use this to verify your identity online. You may use the online ID from your 16th birthday onwards.
The identity card is valid for 6 years, provided you are under 24 years of age when you apply for it. It will become invalid before the expiry date stated on the card if:
- Entries, such as surname or first name, are no longer correct
- except: address, size
- you are no longer clearly recognisable in your photo. This can be the case in particular with ID cards for babies or very young children.
If you need an identity document urgently, you can apply for a provisional identity card in the first instance. This is valid for a maximum of 3 months.
- Entries, such as surname or first name, are no longer correct
Basis for action(s)
Required documents
- 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, for example a child’s passport, a passport or an identity card
- if no identity document is available: 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
- parents with 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 passport or ID card authority in a cloud for retrieval.
Alternatively, digital photographs can usually also be taken at the passport or ID card authority.
If necessary, 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 will no longer be processed.It may be necessary to present a birth certificate, for example, if no identity card or passport was previously available or the data on the identity card differs from the entries in the population register
Prerequisites
You are required to apply for an identity card if you:
- hold German nationality
- have reached the age of 16
- are registered in Germany
- do not hold a valid travel document (passport or provisional passport)
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 responsible for your main place of residence.
Costs (fees, expenses, etc.)
A fee reduction or exemption is possible under certain conditions.
Fee: 46,00 €Prepayment: Yeshttps://www.personalausweisportal.de/Webs/PA/DE/buergerinnen-und-buerger/der-personalausweis/gebuehren-und-gueltigkeit/gebuehren-und-gueltigkeit-node.htmlFor applicants aged 24 or overFee: 27,60 €Prepayment: Yeshttps://www.personalausweisportal.de/Webs/PA/DE/buergerinnen-und-buerger/der-personalausweis/gebuehren-und-gueltigkeit/gebuehren-und-gueltigkeit-node.htmlKassenzeichenFor applicants under the age of 24Fee: 10,00 €Prepayment: Yeshttps://www.personalausweisportal.de/Webs/PA/DE/buergerinnen-und-buerger/der-personalausweis/gebuehren-und-gueltigkeit/gebuehren-und-gueltigkeit-node.htmlFor the provisional identity cardFee: 13,00 €Prepayment: Yeshttps://www.personalausweisportal.de/Webs/PA/DE/buergerinnen-und-buerger/der-personalausweis/gebuehren-und-gueltigkeit/gebuehren-und-gueltigkeit-node.htmlSupplement for applications submitted outside working hours or not at the main place of residenceFee: 30,00 €Prepayment: Yeshttps://www.personalausweisportal.de/Webs/PA/DE/buergerinnen-und-buerger/der-personalausweis/gebuehren-und-gueltigkeit/gebuehren-und-gueltigkeit-node.htmlSurcharge for issue by consular or diplomatic representation abroadFee: €43.00Prepayment: Yeshttps://www.personalausweisportal.de/Webs/PA/DE/buergerinnen-und-buerger/der-personalausweis/gebuehren-und-gueltigkeit/gebuehren-und-gueltigkeit-node.htmlKassenzeichenSurcharge for issue by consular or diplomatic representation abroadFee: 6,00 €Prepayment: Yeshttps://www.personalausweisportal.de/Webs/PA/DE/buergerinnen-und-buerger/der-personalausweis/gebuehren-und-gueltigkeit/gebuehren-und-gueltigkeit-node.htmlFee 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 differ.Fee: 15,00 €Prepayment: Yeshttps://www.personalausweisportal.de/Webs/PA/DE/buergerinnen-und-buerger/der-personalausweis/gebuehren-und-gueltigkeit/gebuehren-und-gueltigkeit-node.htmlFee for shipping to your home addressFurther information
- 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
- Information on blocking the ID card in the event of loss on the ID card portal of the Federal Ministry of the Interior (BMI)
Author
Redirection service: Deep link to the original portal Redirection service: Deep link to the original portal- Applying for an ID card for the first time
Display of performance in the source portal
- Applying for an ID card for the first time in Mecklenburg-Vorpommern
Display of performance in the source portal
- Applying for an ID card for the first time