Identity card: report loss and apply for a new identity card

  • Short text

    If your identity card cannot be found or has been lost, you must report the loss to the identity card authority.

    You can apply for a new identity card at the same time.

  • Full text

    If you cannot find your identity card or if you have lost it, you must report the loss to your identity card authority or another authority or to the police.

    At the same time, you can apply for a new ID card at your local ID card office or - for an additional fee/surcharge - at another ID card office.

    If you no longer have your ID card because it cannot be found, has been lost or stolen, you must report this loss immediately.
    It is necessary to apply for a new identity card.
    If the processing time of approx. 4 weeks is too long, you can apply for a temporary ID card if necessary. This will be issued immediately.

  • Basis for action(s)

  • Required documents

    • Notice of loss
    • valid (children's) passport or birth certificate
    • for children under the age of 16, the consent (declaration) of the legal guardian
    • if there is only one parent or legal guardian, additional proof of custody
    • a biometric passport photo (according to the photo sample table)

    Suitable proof of your identity (e.g. official photo ID or driving licence)

    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 that you have brought with you can only be processed in exceptional cases.

  • Prerequisites

    • German within the meaning of Article 116 (1) of the Basic Law (GG)
  • Costs (fees, expenses, etc.)

    • EUR 37.00 for applicants aged 24 and over
    • EUR 22.80 for applicants under 24 years of age
    • EUR 10.00 for the temporary identity card
    • EUR 13.00 surcharge (outside office hours, for authorities without jurisdiction)
    • EUR 30.00 surcharge for issue by consular or diplomatic representation abroad
    • Fee reduction or exemption possible for people in need (at the discretion of the ID card authority)

    There is no fee for the notification of loss.
    For a new or temporary ID card, the fees prescribed in the ID card fee regulations must be paid.

  • Deadlines

    In your own interest, you should report the loss as soon as possible.

  • Further information

    Information on the new ID card
    https://www.personalausweisportal.de

  • Notes (special features)

    Further information about the ID card can be found on the website of the Federal Ministry of the Interior (BMI).

  • Author

    Mrs Burggraf,
    Division O 3,
    Federal Ministry of the Interior,
    Graurheindorfer Straße 198,
    53117 Bonn

    II 210

    Forwarding service: Deep link to the original portal
  • Typing

    2b
  • Responsible office

    Within Germany:
    To the municipal, local or city administration (citizens' office)

    Outside Germany:
    To the diplomatic mission or consular post in whose district you are staying.

    For inland waterway skippers who do not have a residence in Germany, the identity card authority at the home location of the inland waterway vessel is responsible; for seafarers who do not have a residence in Germany, the identity card authority at the registered office of the shipowner is responsible.


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