In Germany, it is compulsory for persons over the age of 16 to have a valid identity card. From the age of 16, you must therefore apply for a new identity card in good time before the validity of your old one expires. This applies if you are over 16 and do not have a valid passport document, i.e. passport, temporary passport.
The application can be made at the Citizen's Office at their main residence. If you submit the application at another Bürgeramt for an important reason, a surcharge of EUR 13.00 will be added to the fee.
The period of validity depends on your age:

• under 24 years: Identity card is valid for 6 years.
• from 24 years of age: Identity card is valid for 10 years.

It may happen that the issuance of the new identity card is not possible within the remaining period of validity. In this case, it may be necessary to additionally apply for a temporary ID card for the transitional period. A temporary ID card is valid for a maximum of 3 months.

You must apply for your identity card in person at the Citizen's Office. If you do not apply for your ID card at your main place of residence, you need an important reason and a surcharge will be added to the fee. If you contact your chosen Bürgeramt beforehand, you can find out whether and to what extent the Bürgeramt recognizes your reason.

• At many Bürgeramt offices, you can make an appointment online, by e-mail, or by phone. You can find out what options your Bürgeramt offers, for example, on its website.
• When you apply, your Bürgeramt will inform you when you can collect your identity card.
• Your ID card is produced centrally by Bundesdruckerei GmbH.
• At many Bürgerämter, you can make an appointment to pick up your ID card online, by e-mail or by phone. You can find out what options your citizens' registration office offers, for example, on its website.

Contact the Citizen's Office at your primary residence.

The obligation to apply for an identity card applies to you if you

• have German citizenship
• have reached the age of 16
• are registered in Germany and
• do not have a valid passport document, i.e. passport or temporary passport.

For application outside your main residence:

• You must be able to present an important reason why you are not applying for the ID card at the ID card authority that is responsible at your main place of residence.
• Exception: The temporary ID card cannot be applied for abroad.

• biometric passport photo: The photo must be
  • be up to date and
  • meet the requirements for biometric photos.
• Old identity card, valid passport or old (expired) passport.
• birth certificate or family register, if applicable
• for children under 16 years of age: both custodial parents or, if applicable, declaration of consent of the custodial parent who is not present
  • in the case of sole custody, a negative certificate from the Youth Welfare Office (Jugendamt)

• EUR 37.00 for applicants aged 24 and over
• EUR 22.80 for applicants under 24 years of age
• EUR 10.00 for temporary identity card
• EUR 13.00 surcharge for application outside office hours or not at the main place of residence
• EUR 30.00 surcharge for issuance 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.

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

Forms available: No

Written form required: Yes

Informal application possible: Yes

Personal appearance required: Yes

Online services available: No

The text was automatically translated based on the German content.

Thuringian Ministry of the Interior and Local Affairs

22.09.2022