In Germany, you must apply for a new identity card if

your identity card expires,

• you have reached the age of 16,
• you have German citizenship,
• you are registered in Germany and
• do not have another valid passport document, such as a passport or temporary passport.

You must apply for your new ID card before the validity of your old one expires.

You can apply at the citizens' office at your main place of residence. If you submit the application to another citizens' office for an important reason, you will have to pay a surcharge.

The period of validity of your ID card depends on your age:

• If you applied for your ID card when you were under 24 years old, your ID card is valid for 6 years.
• If you applied for your ID card at the age of 24 or older, your ID card is valid for 10 years.

If it is not possible to issue the new ID card within the remaining period of validity of the old ID card, you must also apply for a temporary ID card for the transitional period. A temporary ID card is valid for a maximum of 3 months.

• current digital biometric passport photo
• if available: old identity card, valid passport or expired passport
• birth certificate or family record book, if applicable