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Are you at least 16 years old? Then you must have a valid ID document that can be used to verify your identity. Younger children can also apply for an ID card if they wish, but this is not mandatory.
What do I need to know?
Service description
From May 1, 2025, we will only be allowed to use digital photos taken by a certified studio or drugstore (you will then receive a code) or directly at a self-service terminal in the administration office when applying for passports and identity cards. These are currently available at the citizen service center in the Kaiserstraße town hall and in the local government offices in Altstadt, Hartenberg-Münchfeld, and Lerchenberg.
German citizens aged 16 and over are required to have an identity document.
An exception is made if you already have a valid passport.
Application:
In person You must sign and provide fingerprints.
In urgent cases, you can obtain a temporary identity card. This is subject to an additional fee.
Validity
Persons under 24 years of age: valid for 6 years
Persons aged 24 and over: valid for 10 years
You can pick up your ID card approximately 3 weeks after submitting your application. You will not receive any notification from the Federal Printing Office.
We impose fines for violations:
Up to 2 months Verbal warning Up to 4 months €30 Up to 6 months €55
If you have just turned 16, are a German citizen, and are registered in Germany, you must submit your application immediately if you do not have a valid passport or temporary passport.
Validity period: 6 years For applicants under the age of 24.
Validity period: 10 years For applicants over the age of 24.
Processing time
For orders and pick-ups at local government offices, you should expect a waiting period of approximately 4 weeks.
What do I need to bring or submit?
You must bring your old identity card or passport with you.
If you do not have a current photo, you can have one taken at the self-service terminal at the Citizen Service Center and the local government offices in Altstadt, Hartenberg-Münchfeld, and Lerchenberg for a fee of €6.
Simply follow the blue arrows in the entrance area of the Citizens' Service Center. The photo taken at the Citizens' Service Center or the local government offices in Altstadt, Hartenberg-Münchfeld, and Lerchenberg can be retrieved by all local government offices within 14 days.
For personswith a legal guardian, we also require:
the guardian's certificate, general power of attorney, or similar proof
If you have changed your surname due to marriage, we also require:
the original marriage certificate with proof of name change
When registering a doctoral title, we also require:
the doctoral 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.
The opening hours of the citizen services office are:
Monday: 8 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. and 2 p.m. to 6 p.m. Tuesday: 8 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. and 2 p.m. to 5 p.m. Wednesday: 7:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. Thursday: 7:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. Friday: 7:30 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Customers with appointments should present the appointment confirmation sent to them by email at the information desk. They will then be granted access. Please arrive on time for your appointment, i.e., not too early, but also not late. This is the only way to ensure that security measures can be maintained.
