Pick up identity card

As a rule, you collect your ID card from the citizens' office where you applied for it.

Your Citizens' Registration Office will tell you whether you need to make an appointment to collect your ID card or whether you need to follow any other instructions at the time of collection.

You can immediately set a six-digit PIN of your choice at the Citizens' Registration Office when you collect your ID card. This service is free of charge. Only with this PIN can you use your ID card to identify yourself for online services with a high level of trust in business and administration.

You can hand in your old ID card when you collect it or have it invalidated if you want to keep it as a souvenir. If you have lost your old ID card in the meantime or it has been stolen, report the loss or theft to the Citizens' Office or the police. Many local authorities also offer a digital option for reporting loss and theft.

If you are unable to collect the ID card yourself, you can also authorize another person who is 16 years or older and can identify themselves in writing. To collect your child's ID card, you only need the power of attorney if the child is already 16 or older.

Alternatively, you can choose the option of having your ID document handed to you in person at the front door when you apply. This service incurs additional fees.

You can collect your new ID card from the Citizens' Registration Office where you applied for it:

• You can find out when the ID card can be collected when you apply or ask at the Citizens' Registration Office.
• You can find out whether you need to make an appointment to collect it when you apply or ask at the Citizens' Registration Office.
• On presentation of your old ID card, the Citizens' Registration Office will issue you with your new ID card. If you would like to keep your old ID card as a souvenir, you will receive the document back after it has been canceled.
• If you have lost your old ID card in the meantime or it has been stolen, please report the theft/loss.
• Finally, confirm receipt of the new ID card with your signature.
• You can also authorize an authorized person who is 16 years or older to collect it. This person must identify themselves and present a written authorization for collection.

Alternatively, you can choose the fee-based option of having your ID document handed to you in person at the front door when you submit your application:

• When handing over your ID card at the front door, you must present a valid ID document - a valid passport or temporary passport. Your old ID card will be invalidated at the time of application and will no longer be available for this purpose. You will be informed at the time of application to what extent it will also be possible to identify yourself at the front door with a driving license card or a health insurance card containing a photograph.
• If you would like information on the expected delivery date, the delivery service provider will send you an e-mail on the expected delivery date.
• If you are not at home at the time of delivery, the nearest post office will keep the consignment with the ID document for a maximum of 7 working days for collection. If you do not collect the item with the ID document there within this period, the item will be forwarded to your local authority. They will keep the ID document until it is collected.

You have applied for an ID card, which is ready for collection.

• Your old identity card (exception: old identity card is no longer available due to loss or theft)
• In case of representation:
  • Power of attorney to collect an identity card
  • ID document of the person collecting the card

Fee: EUR 15,00

https://www.personalausweisportal.de/Webs/PA/DE/buergerinnen-und-buerger/der-personalausweis/gebuehren-und-gueltigkeit/gebuehren-und-gueltigkeit-node.html

Period of Validity: 6 JAHR

Period of Validity: 10 JAHR

Processing Time: 0 - 1 STUNDE

If your ID card is stolen or lost, you must report this to a citizens' office or the police. You can also block the online function of your ID card yourself by calling the blocking hotline.

Federal Ministry of the Interior (BMI)

13.02.2026

The identity card authority responsible for you, where you submitted the application.

The text was automatically translated based on the German content.