Anyone with German citizenship can be issued an identity card. Under certain circumstances, you are required to have one. To obtain one, you must submit an application.
From May 1, 2025, there will be new regulations regarding the required photo:
From this date, you will no longer be permitted to submit paper-based photos. Instead, you will need an electronic photo. You can create this on-site or bring the QR code provided by a photographer. Further information can be found in the "Links" section.
More Information
Publisher
Hamburg
Last update or date of publication
Contact
The government service telephone number 115 – your point of contact for questions related to the federal, state and local.
Monday through Friday from 8:00 to 18:00 (and beyond these times in some regions).
Call 115 nowGovernment service telephone number calls are charged at local rates.
- Proof of identity, for example
- old identity card
- valid passport or child's passport
- Birth certificate (if applicable)
- all necessary documents and evidence if there has been a change in personal data, for example
- Birth, marriage, and wedding certificates
- Declaration regarding the use of names
- for children under 16 years of age
- Proof of custody in cases of sole custody
- Declaration of consent and identity card (alternatively a clearly legible and recognizable copy of the identity card) of absent legal guardians in cases of joint custody
- The presence of the children for whom a document is being requested is required.
- current biometric passport photo
- Since May 1, 2025, you must submit your passport photo in electronic form. You can have the passport photo taken on-site or bring a QR code that the photo studio will give you when the photo is taken.
- after naturalization:
- Passport or identity card from the country of birth or an identity certificate
- Naturalization certificate
Note: A photo booth (speed capture terminal) is available. The cost for a photo taken on-site is €6.00. You will not receive a printed copy. Please note that the photo booth is not suitable for passport photos of infants and toddlers.
Preconditions
- They possess German citizenship.
- have reached the age of 16
- are registered in Germany
- do not possess a valid passport
- At least one parent or legal guardian must submit the application together with you. (Please note the required documents.)
- You provide an important reason why you are not applying for the identity card at the authority responsible for your main residence.
- The authority responsible for your main residence will approve it. Approval will be obtained by the office where you intend to submit the application.
Hints
- If you urgently need an identity document, you can apply for a temporary identity card, which is then valid for a maximum of 3 months.
- Your identity card becomes invalid, for example, if your name changes or if the photograph is no longer suitable for identification. The latter can be the case, in particular, with identity cards for infants or toddlers. In these cases, you must apply for a new identity card. If you have a new address, you can have your identity card amended and do not need a new one. Changes in personal data, such as your height, do not affect your identity card.
The fees are
- EUR 46.00 for applicants aged 24 and over
- EUR 27.60 for applicants under 24 years of age
- 10.00 EUR for the temporary identity card
- A surcharge of €13.00 applies when applying to an authority that is not the responsible body.
Basis for legal action
Identity Card Act (PAuswG)
www.gesetze-im-internet.de/pauswg/BJNR134610009.html
Legal Remedies
Complaint or objection
Related Links
- Apply for a temporary identity cardCurrently this link is only available in german
- Collect your ID cardCurrently this link is only available in german
- Direct delivery of identification documents by post to your homeCurrently this link is only available in german
- Federal Foreign Office - documents, certificationsCurrently this link is only available in german
- ID cards, as electronic proof of identityCurrently this link is only available in german
- ID cards, serial numberCurrently this link is only available in german
- Identity cardCurrently this link is only available in german
- Information on the identity card on the website of the Federal Ministry of the Interior and HomelandCurrently this link is only available in german
- Locations and opening hours of the Hamburg Service on site
- New ID document: Check processing statusCurrently this link is only available in german
- Photo sample board (Federal Ministry of the Interior and Home Affairs)Currently this link is only available in german
- Search for photo service providers for biometric passport photosCurrently this link is only available in german
- Sign language "Applying for an identity card"Currently this link is only available in german
Procedure
- You can make an appointment online or by phone by calling 115.
- If you do not want to apply for your identity card at the place of your primary residence, find out whether your reason for doing so will be accepted.
Inform the non-responsible identity card authority of your intended application so that it can obtain authorization from the responsible identity card authority in advance.
You will receive a message when the authorization is available
You can make an appointment online or by phone by calling 115
- If you do not want to apply for your identity card at the place of your primary residence, find out whether your reason for doing so will be accepted.
- You appear in person at your appointment and apply for the issuance of your identity card.
- You submit the necessary documents.
- Your fingerprints will be taken for storage on your identity card.
- You provide a signature, which will later be printed on your identity card.
- The identity card will be ordered for you from an external office.
- You will receive a collection slip with which you can collect your identity card.
- When you apply, you will receive a letter (PIN letter) containing a so-called transport PIN as well as important information about the online ID function.
- You confirm receipt of the unopened PIN letter.
- You pay the fees.
- You will receive a collection slip with which you can collect your identity card.
- Once your identity card is ready, please make an appointment to collect it from the location where you applied for it.
Deadlines
If you do not have a valid passport, you must have an identity card from your 16th birthday.
Period of validity:
- Application under 24 years of age: Identity card is valid for 6 years.
- Application from age 24: Identity card is valid for 10 years.
Processing time
The application process takes approximately 15 minutes. You can pick up your identity card at the location where you applied approximately 2-3 weeks after the application.