Personalausweis abholen

Short text

Identity card is ready for collection from the issuing identity card authority
As a rule, identity cards should be collected in person
Collection also possible with authorisation, as well as sending the ID card

Full text

As a rule, you collect your ID card from the citizens' office where you applied for it.

Your Citizens' Registration Office will tell you whether you need to make an appointment to collect your ID card or whether you need to follow any other instructions regarding the time of collection.

When you collect your ID card, you can immediately set a six-digit PIN of your choice at the Citizens' Registration Office. This service is free of charge. Only with this PIN can you identify yourself with your ID card for online services with a high level of trust in business and administration.

Hand in your old ID card when you collect it or have it cancelled if you want to keep it as a souvenir. If you have lost your old ID card in the meantime, report the loss to the Citizens' Registration Office. You can fill out a loss report there. If the loss has occurred in connection with a criminal offence (robbery, theft), this should also be reported to the police.

If you are unable to collect your ID card yourself, you can also authorise another person who is 16 years or older and can identify themselves in writing. You can find the "Authorisation for a representative to collect the ID document" under "Forms". To collect your child's ID card, you only need the authorisation if the child is already 16 years or older.

Alternatively, you can choose the option of having your ID document handed to you in person at the front door when you apply. This service incurs additional fees.

Basis for action(s)

Required documents

Your old identity card (exception: old identity card is no longer available due to loss or theft)
By proxy:
- Authorisation to collect an identity card
- Identification document of the person collecting the goods

Authorisation for a representative to collect the identity document

Prerequisites

You have applied for an identity card, which is ready for collection.

Costs (fees, expenses, etc.)

Fee: 15,00 €

Prepayment: No

There is no charge for collecting your new ID card from the Citizens' Registration Office. Costs apply if you have selected the option to have the ID card sent to your home when applying. The fee must be paid at the time of application.

Procedure

You can collect your new ID card from the citizens' office where you applied for it:

You can find out when the ID card can be collected when you apply or ask at the Citizens' Registration Office.
You can find out whether you need to make an appointment for collection when you apply or ask at the Citizens' Registration Office.
On presentation of your old ID card, the Citizens' Registration Office will issue you with your new ID card. If you wish to keep your old ID card as a souvenir, you will receive the document back after it has been cancelled.
If you have lost your old ID card in the meantime or it has been stolen, please report the loss/theft to your local Citizens' Registration Office (notification of loss).
Finally, confirm receipt of the new ID card with your signature.
You can also authorise an authorised person who is 16 years or older to pick up the return. This person must be able to identify themselves and present a written authorisation for collection. The "Authorisation for a representative to collect the ID document" can be found under "Forms".

Alternatively, you can choose the fee-based option of having your ID document handed to you in person at the front door when you submit your application:

When handing over your ID card at the front door, you must identify yourself with a valid identity document - a valid passport or temporary passport. Your old ID card will be cancelled at the time of application and will no longer be available for this purpose.
If you request information on the expected delivery date, the delivery service provider will send you an e-mail on the expected delivery date.
If you are not at home at the time of delivery, the nearest post office will keep the consignment with the ID document for collection for a maximum of 7 working days. If you do not collect the consignment with the ID document there within this period, the consignment will be forwarded to your local Citizens' Registration Office. The ID document will be kept there until it is collected.