In Germany, ID cards are mandatory from the age of 16.

The ID cards have a chip on which the name, date and place of birth, address, period of validity, a photo and serial and access number are stored. In addition, two digital fingerprints are entered - the submission of fingerprints is mandatory.

The ID card offers the following functions:

The online ID function

The citizen receives a PIN with the ID card. This can be used, for example, to identify oneself on a PC, at public offices and at retailers, provided they offer this procedure. For this online ID function, citizens need a card reader or the app:

ID card portal

Citizens insert the new ID card and enter their PIN.

The signature function

This is used to sign digital documents - in the sense of "I want this" - in a legally binding manner. The new ID card is prepared for the use of electronic signatures. In order to use it, a signature certificate must be purchased from an appropriate provider and loaded onto the ID card. An overview of the providers of signature certificates can be found on the website of the Federal Network Agency.

Click here for an overview of the providers of signature certificates

Costs

The ID card costs:
€22.80 for people under 24 years of age and is valid for 6 years
€37.00 for people aged 24 and over and is valid for 10 years
The temporary ID card, which can be produced immediately, costs €10.00 and is valid for 3 months.

Documents required to apply for a permanent or temporary ID card

• a biometric passport photo (not older than 6 months)
• previous ID card (identity card, passport, child ID card)
• if you are applying for an identity card for the first time:

In addition, a birth certificate, marriage certificate or the family register as well as another document with a photograph, this also applies if you have lost your ID card or it has been stolen.

• When applying for children under the age of 16, a declaration of consent from both legal guardians must be submitted (see below).
• Late repatriates must bring their Spätaussiedlerbescheinigung (certificate of late repatriation) or the Vertriebenenausweis A/B with them

Delivery of ID cards

The ID cards are produced by the Bundesdruckerei in Berlin. It may take up to 3-4 weeks before we can issue your new ID card.

As soon as you receive a PIN letter from the Bundesdruckerei, your ID card can be collected from the Citizens' Service Centre 2-3 days later. You must bring your old ID card with you when you collect it, otherwise it cannot be issued.

In Germany, ID cards are mandatory from the age of 16.

The ID cards have a chip on which the name, date and place of birth, address, period of validity, a photo and serial and access number are stored. In addition, two digital fingerprints are entered - the submission of fingerprints is mandatory.

The ID card offers the following functions:

The online ID function

The citizen receives a PIN with the ID card. This can be used, for example, to identify oneself on a PC, at public offices and at retailers, provided they offer this procedure. For this online ID function, citizens need a card reader or the app:

ID card portal

Citizens insert the new ID card and enter their PIN.

The signature function

This is used to sign digital documents - in the sense of "I want this" - in a legally binding manner. The new ID card is prepared for the use of electronic signatures. In order to use it, a signature certificate must be purchased from an appropriate provider and loaded onto the ID card. An overview of the providers of signature certificates can be found on the website of the Federal Network Agency.

Click here for an overview of the providers of signature certificates

Costs

The ID card costs:
€22.80 for people under 24 years of age and is valid for 6 years
€37.00 for people aged 24 and over and is valid for 10 years
The temporary ID card, which can be produced immediately, costs €10.00 and is valid for 3 months.

Documents required to apply for a permanent or temporary ID card

• a biometric passport photo (not older than 6 months)
• previous ID card (identity card, passport, child ID card)
• if you are applying for an identity card for the first time:

In addition, a birth certificate, marriage certificate or the family register as well as another document with a photograph, this also applies if you have lost your ID card or it has been stolen.

• When applying for children under the age of 16, a declaration of consent from both legal guardians must be submitted (see below).
• Late repatriates must bring their Spätaussiedlerbescheinigung (certificate of late repatriation) or the Vertriebenenausweis A/B with them

Delivery of ID cards

The ID cards are produced by the Bundesdruckerei in Berlin. It may take up to 3-4 weeks before we can issue your new ID card.

As soon as you receive a PIN letter from the Bundesdruckerei, your ID card can be collected from the Citizens' Service Centre 2-3 days later. You must bring your old ID card with you when you collect it, otherwise it cannot be issued.

In Germany, ID cards are mandatory from the age of 16.

The ID cards have a chip on which the name, date and place of birth, address, period of validity, a photo and serial and access number are stored. In addition, two digital fingerprints are entered - the submission of fingerprints is mandatory.

The ID card offers the following functions:

The online ID function

The citizen receives a PIN with the ID card. This can be used, for example, to identify oneself on a PC, at public offices and at retailers, provided they offer this procedure. For this online ID function, citizens need a card reader or the app:

ID card portal

Citizens insert the new ID card and enter their PIN.

The signature function

This is used to sign digital documents - in the sense of "I want this" - in a legally binding manner. The new ID card is prepared for the use of electronic signatures. In order to use it, a signature certificate must be purchased from an appropriate provider and loaded onto the ID card. An overview of the providers of signature certificates can be found on the website of the Federal Network Agency.

Click here for an overview of the providers of signature certificates

Costs

The ID card costs:
€22.80 for people under 24 years of age and is valid for 6 years
€37.00 for people aged 24 and over and is valid for 10 years
The temporary ID card, which can be produced immediately, costs €10.00 and is valid for 3 months.

Documents required to apply for a permanent or temporary ID card

• a biometric passport photo (not older than 6 months)
• previous ID card (identity card, passport, child ID card)
• if you are applying for an identity card for the first time:

In addition, a birth certificate, marriage certificate or the family register as well as another document with a photograph, this also applies if you have lost your ID card or it has been stolen.

• When applying for children under the age of 16, a declaration of consent from both legal guardians must be submitted (see below).
• Late repatriates must bring their Spätaussiedlerbescheinigung (certificate of late repatriation) or the Vertriebenenausweis A/B with them

Delivery of ID cards

The ID cards are produced by the Bundesdruckerei in Berlin. It may take up to 3-4 weeks before we can issue your new ID card.

As soon as you receive a PIN letter from the Bundesdruckerei, your ID card can be collected from the Citizens' Service Centre 2-3 days later. You must bring your old ID card with you when you collect it, otherwise it cannot be issued.

In Germany, ID cards are mandatory from the age of 16.

The ID cards have a chip on which the name, date and place of birth, address, period of validity, a photo and serial and access number are stored. In addition, two digital fingerprints are entered - the submission of fingerprints is mandatory.

The ID card offers the following functions:

The online ID function

The citizen receives a PIN with the ID card. This can be used, for example, to identify oneself on a PC, at public offices and at retailers, provided they offer this procedure. For this online ID function, citizens need a card reader or the app:

ID card portal

Citizens insert the new ID card and enter their PIN.

The signature function

This is used to sign digital documents - in the sense of "I want this" - in a legally binding manner. The new ID card is prepared for the use of electronic signatures. In order to use it, a signature certificate must be purchased from an appropriate provider and loaded onto the ID card. An overview of the providers of signature certificates can be found on the website of the Federal Network Agency.

Click here for an overview of the providers of signature certificates

Costs

The ID card costs:
€22.80 for people under 24 years of age and is valid for 6 years
€37.00 for people aged 24 and over and is valid for 10 years
The temporary ID card, which can be produced immediately, costs €10.00 and is valid for 3 months.

Documents required to apply for a permanent or temporary ID card

• a biometric passport photo (not older than 6 months)
• previous ID card (identity card, passport, child ID card)
• if you are applying for an identity card for the first time:

In addition, a birth certificate, marriage certificate or the family register as well as another document with a photograph, this also applies if you have lost your ID card or it has been stolen.

• When applying for children under the age of 16, a declaration of consent from both legal guardians must be submitted (see below).
• Late repatriates must bring their Spätaussiedlerbescheinigung (certificate of late repatriation) or the Vertriebenenausweis A/B with them

Delivery of ID cards

The ID cards are produced by the Bundesdruckerei in Berlin. It may take up to 3-4 weeks before we can issue your new ID card.

As soon as you receive a PIN letter from the Bundesdruckerei, your ID card can be collected from the Citizens' Service Centre 2-3 days later. You must bring your old ID card with you when you collect it, otherwise it cannot be issued.