In Germany, you must apply for a new ID card if

your ID card expires,

• you have turned 16,
• you are a German citizen,
• you are registered in Germany, and
• you do not have any other valid travel document, such as a passport or a temporary passport.

You must apply for your new ID card before your old one expires.

You can submit your application at the Citizens’ Office in your primary place of residence. If you submit the application at a different Citizens’ Office for a valid reason, you must pay an additional fee.

The validity period of your identity card depends on your age:

• If you applied for your ID card when you were under 24 years of age, your ID card is valid for 6 years.
• If you applied for your ID card at age 24 or older, your ID card is valid for 10 years.

If the new ID card cannot be issued within the remaining validity period of the old one, you must also apply for a temporary ID card for the interim period. A temporary ID card is valid for a maximum of 3 months.

• A current digital biometric passport photo
• if available: old ID card, valid passport, or expired passport
• if applicable, birth certificate or family register