The information on your ID card must always be up to date. Examples of information that may change include:

• Last name due to marriage and a name change
• Address due to a move to a different primary residence
• Change of first name(s) based on a declaration under the Self-Determination Act

Changes to the information on your ID card, with the exception of your address or height, mean that you will need a new ID card.

You apply for your new ID card at the ID card office in your primary residence. This is usually the Citizens’ Office.
You can also apply at any other Citizens’ Office if you can provide a valid reason.
Please check with the office of your choice in advance to determine the conditions under which this is possible.
An additional “non-jurisdiction fee” applies.

While you do not need a new ID card for address changes, the chip in the card must be updated, and the address field on the back must be covered with a sticker bearing your new address. You can
do this at the citizens’ office of the city or municipality where your new primary residence is located.
In some municipalities, you can apply for the change of address digitally (electronic residence registration), which eliminates the need to visit the municipal office.

You are required to show identification if you:

• are a German citizen
• are at least 16 years of age
• are registered in Germany

If you have a valid passport and all the information contained in the passport is up to date, applying for an identity card is voluntary.

The following applies if you are applying outside your main place of residence:

• You must be able to provide a compelling reason why you are not applying for an identity card at the identity card office in your main place of residence.
   

If your identity card is stolen or lost, you must report this to the police or a public office. In this case, the online identity card will be reported to the blocking hotline by the authorities and the card will be blocked.

If the information on your ID card is no longer up to date, you must have it updated as soon as possible.

• Validity period: 6 years
  For applicants under 24 years of age.
• Validity period: 10 years
  For applicants over 24 years of age.

The change of address on your identity card will be made immediately by the Citizens' Office.

If you apply for a new identity card, it usually takes at least two weeks before you can pick it up at the Bürgeramt.

Change of address:

• Identity card
• If applicable, power of attorney and identification document of the authorized representative
• Landlord's confirmation
  
  

Name change due to marriage:

• A current biometric passport photo
• Previous identity card
• Certificate from the registry office confirming the date of marriage and the future name
• Please present your marriage certificate when you come to collect your passport.
  
  

Changing your name due to divorce

• A current, biometric passport photo
• Previous identity card
• Certificate from the registry office confirming the new name

Change other personal data

• A current, biometric passport photo
• Previous identity card
• Proof of the data to be changed, e.g., certificate from the registry office confirming the new name

Registration of a doctoral title

• A current biometric passport photo
• Previous identity card
• Doctorate certificate (we require the original certificate in German)

You can inquire with the Central Office for Foreign Education (ZAB) at the Secretariat of the Standing Conference of the Ministers of Education and Cultural Affairs to find out whether a doctoral degree obtained abroad is recognized in Germany.

Graurheindorfer Straße 157

53117 Bonn

P.O. Box 2240

53012 Bonn

Phone

zabservicekmkorg

A reduction or waiver of fees is possible under certain conditions.

• Fee: Free of charge.
  Changing your address is free of charge.
• Fee: 13.00 EUR
  Surcharge for applications submitted outside of office hours or to an unauthorized authority
• Fee: 30.00 EUR
  Issuance of a new ID card by a consular or diplomatic mission abroad
• Fee: 6.00 EUR
  Fee for passport photo if the authority uses the PointID photo system from Bundesdruckerei GmbH. If the authority uses photo systems from other manufacturers, the fee may vary.
• Fee: 46.00 EUR
  New ID card for applicants aged 24 and older
• Fee: 15.00 EUR
  Fee for delivery to your home address
• Fee: 27.60 EUR
  New ID card for applicants under 24 years of age

Cash / EC