As a person with German citizenship, you can have an identity card issued. If you have reached the age of 16 and do not have a valid passport, you must apply for an ID card.
The period of validity of your ID card depends on your age at the time of application:

• Application under the age of 24: ID card is valid for 6 years.
• Application from the age of 24: ID card is valid for 10 years.

Your ID card loses its validity before the expiry date entered on it if

• Entries no longer apply or
• your photo is no longer clearly suitable for identification purposes. This may be the case in particular with ID cards for infants or very young children.

There is one exception: changing your address or your height does not invalidate your ID card.
You also have the option of applying for a temporary ID card. This is valid for a maximum of 3 months.
You can submit the application to your identity card authority at your main place of residence, which is usually the Citizens' Registration Office.
If there is an important reason, you can also apply for an ID card at an authority outside the jurisdiction of your place of residence. This may result in additional costs.

• Since May 1, 2025, citizens can only apply for ID cards and passports with digital photos.
  

Are you German or German (difficult word: German nationality)?

• Are you 16 years old or older?
• And you don't have a passport?
• Then you must apply for an identity card.

Are you under 24 years old?

• Then the ID card is valid for 6 years.

Are you over 24 years old?

• Then the ID card is valid for 10 years.

There are also temporary ID cards.

• Temporary ID cards are valid for 3 months.

Who is not required to have an ID card?

Do you have a guardian?

• Then you do not need to have an ID card.
• This can be a relief for you.

What you need for this:

• a written application
• Your old identity card or passport
• If someone is acting on your behalf:
  a power of attorney or guardian's authorization
  the identity card of the other person.

However, you can also change this again.

• All you have to do is apply for a new ID card.
• Or you can apply for a passport.
• Then the ID card requirement applies to you again.

Do you want an ID card or a passport?

• You have to apply for an ID card at a citizens' office (difficult word: ID card authority).
• You have to make the application yourself.
• In other words:
  You are not allowed to send someone else.
• Then you must submit a photo of yourself.
• The photo must be digital.
• In other words:
  The photo must be on the computer.

Sometimes the ID card becomes invalid earlier.

• This happens before the expiry date on the ID card.
• If the information on the ID card is no longer correct:
  for example names
• If the photo is no longer clearly recognizable.

These changes do not invalidate the ID card:

• You move house
• You are getting taller

Have you lost your ID card?

• Then you must report this.
• And you must submit a new application.
• If you do find your ID card again:
  You must also report this.

Has your ID card been stolen?

• You must also report this.
• And you must apply for a new ID card.

When your new ID card is ready:

• You can collect it yourself.
• It is also possible for an authorized person to collect it.

• Proof of identity, for example
  • old identity card,
  • valid passport or children's passport
• Current biometric certified digital photograph
• Birth certificate, if applicable
• If applicable: document with current name, for example
  • birth certificate, marriage certificate, marriage certificate,
  • family register
  • Declaration on the use of name
• for children under the age of 16: Declaration of consent from the legal guardian
  • if there is only one parent or legal guardian, additional proof of custody

You must show that

• You are the right person.
• You can show an old identity card.
• Or you can show a valid passport.
• You also need a photo of your face.
• The photo must be biometric.
  This means that
  Your face must be clearly visible from the front.
• And the photo must be digital.
• You may also need a birth certificate or a name certificate.

Are you under the age of 16?
Then your parents must give their consent.
Your parents may also need to show proof of custody.

How much does an ID card cost?
That varies.
For example:
How old are you?
Do you have little money?

Perhaps you have little money.
Then you may have to pay less.
Or you may not have to pay anything at all.
This is decided by the Citizens' Office (the ID card authority).

• EUR 46 (valid for 10 years) for applicants aged 24 and over
• EUR 27.60 for applicants under 24 years of age
• EUR 10 (valid for a maximum of 3 months) for the temporary identity card
• EUR 13.00 surcharge for applications submitted outside office hours or to an authority that does not have jurisdiction
• EUR 30.00 surcharge for applications to any citizens' office by Germans residing abroad

Fee reductions or exemptions are possible for people in need. This is at the discretion of the identity card authority.

If the validity of your old ID card has expired and you are over 16 years old, you must apply for a new ID card immediately if you do not have a valid passport document.

Are you over 16 years old?
And your ID card has expired?
Then you must apply for a new ID card immediately.
This also applies

• if you do not have a valid passport
• if your passport has expired.