Applying for an identity card due to name change after divorce
Full text
Your identity card is invalid after a name change. If you change your surname, for example after a divorce or the cancellation of a civil partnership, you must apply for a new ID card.
There is one exception: as long as you have a valid passport document, i.e. passport or temporary passport, with the new name, applying for an ID card with the new name is voluntary.
If your children are also affected by the change of surname, their identity cards and passports with the old name will also become invalid. For children under the age of 16, applying for a new ID card with the new name is voluntary.
You can submit the application to your local Citizens' Registration Office at your main place of residence.
All identity cards automatically feature the online ID function. For identity cards issued from July 2017 onwards, this function is generally activated. This allows you to verify your identity to public authorities and companies when using online services requiring a high level of trust, once you have set a six-digit PIN of your choice. You may use the online ID card from your 16th birthday onwards.
When you apply for your identity card, the fingerprints of both your index fingers are usually taken for storage on the card’s chip. Children under the age of 6 are exempt from this requirement.
Basis for action(s)
Required documents
- an old identity document, regardless of whether it is still valid or has already expired:
- old identity card or passport
- if you do not have an old identity card or passport:
- Birth certificate
- if available: valid passport with the new name
- Divorce certificate
- Certificate of name from the registry office
- Biometric digital passport photo: taken on site at the authority or by a registered domestic photo service provider, e.g. a photographer
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.- an old identity document, regardless of whether it is still valid or has already expired:
Prerequisites
- You have adopted a new surname after the divorce.
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 and over.Fee: 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 24.Fee: 10,00 €Prepayment: Yeshttps://xn--url%20zur%20gebhrenbildung-2lc/%20https:/www.personalausweisportal.de/Webs/PA/EN/citizens/the-identity-card/fees-and-validity/fees-and-validity-node.htmlIssuing authorityFor the temporary identity card.Fee: 13,00 €Prepayment: Yeshttps://www.personalausweisportal.de/Webs/PA/DE/buergerinnen-und-buerger/der-personalausweis/gebuehren-und-gueltigkeit/gebuehren-und-gueltigkeit-node.htmlKassenzeichenSupplement for applications submitted outside working hours or not at the main place of residence.Fee: €43.00Prepayment: Nohttps://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 abroad.Fee: 30,00 €Prepayment: Yeshttps://www.personalausweisportal.de/Webs/PA/DE/buergerinnen-und-buerger/der-personalausweis/gebuehren-und-gueltigkeit/gebuehren-und-gueltigkeit-node.htmlKassenzeichenSurcharge on the fee for the issue of a document by a non-competent domestic authority, if you are habitually resident abroadFee: 6,00 €Prepayment: Yeshttps://www.personalausweisportal.de/Webs/PA/DE/buergerinnen-und-buerger/der-personalausweis/gebuehren-und-gueltigkeit/gebuehren-und-gueltigkeit-node.htmlKassenzeichenFee 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.htmlKassenzeichenFee for shipping to your home address if you are over 16 years old.Procedure
If you want to apply for a new ID card due to a change of name, proceed as follows:
- You make an appointment at your local citizens' office.
- If you do not apply for your ID card at your main place of residence, you need an important reason and must pay a surcharge on the fee.
- You bring the necessary documents with you.
- You pay the fee.
- Fingerprints are taken on the spot from individuals aged 6 and over, so that they can be stored on the chip in the identity document.
- You will receive a new one-off PIN and a PUK straight away in a sealed envelope. You can use these to activate the online ID function on your newly applied-for identity card, for example by setting a six-digit PIN of your choice at home. You decide for yourself when you wish to use this option.
- Your Citizens' Registration Office will inform you when you apply when you can collect your ID card.
- Alternatively, if you are aged 16 or over, you can have your identity document sent by post to your home address within the country and have it delivered in person to your doorstep or at a post office.
- You make an appointment at your local citizens' office.
Processing time
From the time you submit your application, it usually takes at least two weeks before you can collect your identity card from the Citizens’ Office, or have it delivered to your door or to a post office.
Deadlines
You must apply for the new ID card immediately after the name change.
Exception: You have a valid passport document, i.e. passport or temporary passport, with the new name.
Period of validity of your ID card if you apply for an ID card under the age of 24.
Period of validity: 6 years
Period of validity of your ID card if you apply for an ID card at the age of 24 or older
Period of validity: 10 years
Further 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)
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- Applying for an identity card due to name change after divorce in Mecklenburg-Vorpommern
Display of performance in the source portal
- Applying for an identity card due to name change after divorce