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.