You can report the loss of your ID card:

• at any ID card office—usually the city hall or the local citizens’ office—or
• to the police.

In addition, you must apply for a new ID card if you

• are over 16 years of age, are registered in Germany, and
• do not have a valid travel document, i.e., a passport or provisional passport.

You can apply for a new ID card at the citizens’ office in your city of primary residence. You may apply at any other citizens’ office if you have a valid reason. This may result in additional costs.

All ID cards automatically include the online ID function. For ID cards issued on or after July 2017, this function is generally activated. This allows you to verify your identity with government agencies and companies when using online services that require a high level of trust, as soon as you have set a six-digit PIN of your choice. You may use the online ID card after your 16th birthday.

When you apply for your ID card, the fingerprints of both your index fingers are usually stored on the card’s chip. Children under the age of 6 are exempt from this requirement. 

If you find your ID card, you must report this in person to your local ID card office. Only then will the record with the police be deleted.

Provided you have not applied for a new ID card, you may continue to use your reported-as-recovered ID card without restriction within Germany until the end of its validity period.

• You have lost your ID card and have reported it accordingly.

If you want to report the loss of your ID card:

• Report the loss to an ID card office—usually the municipal office—or to the police. You can file the loss report in person. Many municipalities also offer a digital option for filing a loss report.

If you want to apply for a new ID card after losing it, follow these steps: 

• Schedule an appointment at your local Citizens’ Office.
  • If you are applying for your ID card outside your primary residence, you must have a valid reason and will be required to pay a surcharge on the fee.
• Bring the required documents with you.
• Pay the fee.
• Fingerprints are taken on-site for individuals over the age of 6 to be stored on the ID card’s chip.
• You will immediately receive a new one-time PIN to activate the online ID function on your newly applied-for ID card, as well as a personal unlock code (PUK) in a sealed envelope. You decide for yourself when you want to use this option.
• When you apply, your local government office will inform you when you can pick up your ID card.

• Alternatively, if you are 16 years of age or older, you can have the ID document mailed to your home address within Germany and have it delivered in person to your doorstep or at a post office.

If you lose your ID card, you can also block its online function yourself by calling the blocking hotline.

You must report the loss as soon as possible.

• Validity period 6 years
  Validity period of your identity card if you apply for it before the age of 24.
• Validity period 10 years
  Validity period of your identity card if you apply for it at the age of 24 or older.

Once you submit your application, it usually takes at least 2 weeks before you can pick up your ID card at the Citizens' Office or receive it at your doorstep or at a post office.

• Biometric digital passport photo: taken on-site at the government office or by a registered domestic photo service provider, such as a photographer
• Passport, regardless of whether it is valid or has already expired
• If no passport is available:
  • Birth certificate
• if available: police report of loss
• For children under 16 years of age:
  • Legal guardians:
    • Valid identification document (ID card or passport) for each parent
    • If only one parent with legal custody is present: a written consent form from the absent parent with legal custody, as well as a copy of that parent’s identification
  • If only one parent with legal custody is present:
    • Valid identification document (ID card or passport)
    • Proof of custody

A fee reduction or waiver is possible under certain conditions.

• Fee: 46.00 EUR
  For applicants aged 24 and older.
• Fee: 13.00 EUR
  Surcharge for applications submitted outside of business hours or not at the applicant’s primary residence.
• Fee: 27.60 EUR
  For applicants under 24 years of age.
• Fee: 43.00 EUR
  Surcharge for issuance by a consular or diplomatic mission abroad.
• Fee: 15.00 EUR
  Fee for mailing to your home address if the applicant is 16 years of age or older.
• Fee: 10.00 EUR
  for a temporary ID card.
• Fee: 30.00 EUR
  Surcharge for issuance by a consular or diplomatic mission abroad.
• Fee: 6.00 EUR
  for a passport photo if the agency uses the PointID photo system from Bundesdruckerei GmbH. If the agency uses photo systems from other manufacturers, the fee may vary.

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