Apply for an identity card as a person under 16

If you have German citizenship, you can apply for an identity card. This applies to children from birth. If you are under 16, you must be accompanied by your parents. Your parents or legal guardians will take care of the application for you.

Your ID card is valid for a maximum of 6 years. When you turn 16, you must have a valid identity card if you do not have a valid passport.

The ID card becomes invalid before the expiry date entered on it in the following cases:

• Entries no longer apply, for example if you change your name.
• You are no longer clearly recognizable in your photo. This may be the case in particular with ID cards for infants or very young children.

You can submit the application to the ID card authority at your main place of residence. This is usually the Citizens' Registration Office. Applications can be submitted to any other ID card authority if you have an important reason. You will then pay a surcharge.

The ID card can be used as electronic proof of identity (online ID card) from the age of 16. This function is automatically deactivated for children and young people up to the age of 16. If you are at least 16 years old, you can have the function activated free of charge at a later date, for example at the Citizens' Registration Office, and at the same time set a six-digit PIN of your own choice before you can use the online ID card.

If you urgently need an ID document, you can first apply for a temporary ID card. This is valid for a maximum of 3 months.

Your parents or legal guardians must apply for the ID card personally and together with you at the Citizens' Office:

• Your parents submit the application jointly if they have joint custody.
• One custodial parent can be represented by the other custodial parent by power of attorney.
• They must sign if they are 10 years or older at the time of application.
• The submission of fingerprints for storage in the document is legally required for the application (usually a flat print of the left and right index finger).
  • Persons who have not yet reached the age of 6 do not provide a fingerprint.
• You will receive a one-time PIN and the unlocking number (PUK) in a sealed envelope. You will only need this information after your 16th birthday.
• Your Citizens' Registration Office will inform your parents when you apply when they can collect your ID card.
• At many citizens' offices, your parents can arrange a collection date online, by e-mail or by telephone.
• You can find out which options your Citizens' Registration Office offers on their website, for example.

Submit the application to the identity card authority at your main place of residence. This is usually the Citizens' Registration Office.

You can be issued with an ID card if you are under 16 and have German citizenship.

For applications outside your main place of residence:

• You or your legal guardian must have an important reason why you are not applying for your ID card at the Citizens' Registration Office at your main place of residence.

• old identity document, regardless of whether it is valid or has already expired:
  • old identity card or passport
  • old children's passport
• if no old identity card or passport is available:
  • birth certificate
• if only one parent with custody is present:
  • Declaration of consent of the non-custodial parent present
• if only one parent is present:
  • Proof of custody
• biometric digital passport photo: taken on site at the authority or by a registered domestic photo service provider (photographer). There are exceptions to the biometric requirements for infants and small children according to the sample photo table.

Current civil status certificate, depending on marital status, a certificate of parentage/birth or marriage certificate and, if applicable, proof of name change.

A fee reduction or exemption is possible under certain conditions.

Fees for the identity card Fee reductions or exemptions are possible for people in need. This is at the discretion of the identity card authority.

Fee: EUR 27,60

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

Fees for the temporary identity card Fees can be reduced or waived for people in need. This is at the discretion of the identity card authority.

Fee: EUR 10,00

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

Surcharge for applications submitted outside working hours or if the authority is not responsible Fee reductions or exemptions are possible for people in need. This is at the discretion of the identity card authority.

Fee: EUR 13,00

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

Surcharge for issue by consular or diplomatic representation abroad Fee reductions or exemptions are possible for people in need. This is at the discretion of the identity card authority.

Fee: EUR 30,00

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

Fee: EUR 6,00

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

You must apply for an identity card at the latest when you turn 16. Exception: You have a valid passport document such as a passport or temporary passport.

Period of Validity: 6 JAHR

It usually takes at least 2 weeks from the date of application before you can collect your ID card from the Citizens' Registration Office.

If your ID card is stolen, you must report this to the police. If you lose your ID card, you can block it by calling the blocking hotline.

The text was automatically translated based on the German content.

Federal Ministry of the Interior (BMI)

13.02.2026

The text was automatically translated based on the German content.