As a German citizen, you are eligible to obtain an identity card. If you are at least 16 years old and do not have a valid passport, you must apply for an identity card.
The validity period of your national ID card depends on your age at the time of application:

• Applications submitted before age 24: The ID card is valid for 6 years.
• Applications submitted at age 24 or older: The ID card is valid for 10 years.

Your ID card will become invalid before the end of its stated validity period if

• the information on it is no longer accurate, or
• your photo is no longer clearly suitable for identification purposes. This can be the case, in particular, with ID cards for infants or very young children.

There is one exception: A change in your address or height will not render the ID invalid.
You also have the option to apply for a temporary ID card. This is valid for a maximum of 3 months.
You can submit the application to the ID card office at your primary residence, which is usually the municipal office.
If there is a valid reason, you may also apply for an ID card at an agency outside the jurisdiction of your place of residence. This may result in additional costs.

• As of May 1, 2025, citizens can only apply for ID cards and passports with digital photos.
  

Are you a German citizen (technical term: German nationality)?

• Are you 16 years old or older?
• And you don’t have a passport?
• Then you must apply for an ID card.

Are you under 24 years old?

• Then the ID card is valid for 6 years.

Are you over 24 years old?

• Then the ID is valid for 10 years.

There are also temporary ID cards.

• Temporary ID cards are valid for 3 months.

Who is exempt from the ID requirement?

Do you have a guardian?

• Then you are not required to have an ID card.
• This may make things easier for you.

What you’ll need:

• a written application
• Your old ID card or passport
• If someone is acting on your behalf:
  a power of attorney or guardian authorization
  ​​​​​​​the other person’s ID card.

However, you can change this again.

• To do so, you simply need to apply for a new ID card.
• Or you can apply for a passport.
• Then the ID requirement will apply to you again.

Do you want an ID card or a passport?

• To get an ID card, you’ll need to submit an application at a citizen’s office (technical term: ID authority).
• You must submit the application yourself.
• That means:
  You cannot send someone else in your place.
• Then you’ll need to submit a photo of yourself.
• The photo must be digital.
• This means:
  The photo must be on your computer.

Sometimes an ID card expires earlier than expected.

• This happens before the expiration date shown on the ID.
• If the information on the ID card is no longer correct:
  for example, your name
• If the photo is no longer clearly recognizable.

These changes do not invalidate the ID card:

• You move
• You’re getting taller

Have you lost your ID card?

• Then you must report this.
• And you’ll need to submit a new application.
• If you do end up finding your ID card again:
  You must report that as well.

Was your ID card stolen?

• You must report that as well.
• And you’ll need to apply for a new ID card.

Once your new ID card is ready:

• You can pick it up yourself.
• It’s also possible for an authorized representative to pick it up for you.

• Proof of identity, such as
  • an old ID card,
  • valid passport or child’s passport
• a current, certified biometric digital photo
• birth certificate, if applicable
• if applicable: document showing your current name, for example
  • birth certificate, marriage certificate,
  • family register
  • Declaration regarding name usage
• For children under 16: Declaration of consent from the legal guardians
  • If there is only one legal guardian, proof of custody is also required

You must demonstrate:

• That you are the correct person.
• To do so, you can show an old ID card.
• Or you can show a valid passport.
• You’ll also need a photo of your face.
• The photo must be biometric.
  That means:
  Your face must be clearly visible from the front.
• And the photo must be digital.
• You may also need a birth certificate or a name certificate.

Are you under 16?
Then your parents must give their consent.
Your parents may also need to provide proof of custody.

How much does an ID card cost?
It varies.
For example:
How old are you?
Do you have little money?

Maybe you don’t have much money.
Then you might have to pay less.
Or you might not have to pay anything at all.
The Citizens’ Office (the ID card authority) will decide that.

• EUR 46 (valid for 10 years) for applicants 24 years of age or older
• EUR 27.60 for applicants under 24 years of age
• EUR 10 (valid for up to 3 months) for a temporary ID card
• EUR 13.00 surcharge for applications submitted outside of office hours or at an unauthorized agency
• EUR 30.00 surcharge for applications submitted at any citizen service office by German citizens residing abroad

Fee reductions or exemptions are available for those in need. This is at the discretion of the ID card issuing authority.

If your old ID card has expired and you are over 16 years old, you must apply for a new ID card immediately if you do not have a valid passport or other travel document.

Are you over 16 years old?
And has your ID card expired?
Then you must apply for a new ID card immediately.
This also applies:

• if you do not have a valid passport
• if your passport has expired.