If you want to apply for a new ID card due to a change of name, proceed as follows:

• You make an appointment at your local Citizens' Registration Office.
  • If you do not apply for your ID card at your main place of residence, you will need an important reason and will have to pay a surcharge on the fee.
• You bring the necessary documents with you.
• You pay the fee.
• Your fingerprints will be taken on site for storage in the chip of the document.
• You will immediately receive a new one-time PIN. You can use this to make your online ID function ready for use with the newly requested ID card, for example by setting a six-digit PIN of your own choice at home. You decide yourself when you want to use this option.
• When you apply, your Citizens' Registration Office will inform you when you can collect your ID card.
  • Alternatively, in many cases you can have the ID document sent to your home address by post and handed over in person at the front door.

• If you apply early, you will only receive the new ID card after the marriage or after the name declaration has been received by the relevant registry office. Before handing over the ID card, the authorities will check the name on the basis of
  • the marriage certificate,
  • the certified printout of the marriage register or
  • the certificate on the use of the name.

You can apply for a new ID card with your new name at the earliest 8 weeks before the marriage or the establishment of a civil partnership.

You must apply for a new ID card immediately after the marriage if you have changed your name and do not have a valid passport or temporary passport with the new name.

From the time of application, it usually takes at least 2 weeks until you can collect your identity card from the Bürgeramt.