Apply for a new ID card if you lose it

If you have lost your identity card, you must report this. You must also apply for a new ID card if you are over 16 years old, do not have another valid passport document and are registered in Germany.

You can report the loss of your identity card

• to any identity card authority, usually the local citizens' office, or
• the police.

You must also apply for a new ID card if you

• are over 16 years old, are registered in Germany and
• do not have a valid passport document, i.e. a passport or temporary passport.

You can apply for a new ID card at the citizens' office at your main place of residence.

All ID cards automatically have the online ID function. This function is generally activated for ID cards issued from July 2017 onwards. This allows you to identify yourself to authorities and companies for online services with 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 prints of your two index fingers are stored on the chip of the card. Children under the age of 6 are excluded from this regulation.

In the event that you find your ID card again, you must report this in person to your ID card authority. Only then will an entry be deleted by the police.

If you have not applied for a new ID card, you can continue to use your ID card within Germany without restriction until it expires.

• biometric digital passport photo: taken on site at the authority or by a registered domestic photo service provider, e.g. a photographer
• if available and not yet validated: passport
• if no valid passport is available: Birth certificate or marriage certificate
• if available: police report of loss
• for children under the age of 16: if applicable, a declaration of consent from the custodial parent who is not present
  • if there is only one parent or legal guardian, additional proof of custody
• if available: valid or already expired children's passport

• You have lost your identity card and have reported this accordingly.

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

• Report the loss to an identity card authority, usually the citizens' office, or to the police. You can report the loss in person. Many local authorities also offer a digital option for reporting the loss.

If you want to apply for a new ID card after losing it, proceed as follows:

• You make an appointment at your local citizens' office.
  • If you do not apply for your ID card at your main place of residence, you will need an important reason and will have to pay a surcharge on the fee.
• You bring the necessary documents with you.
• You pay the fee
• Your fingerprints will be taken on site for storage in the chip of the ID document.
• You will immediately receive a new one-time PIN to make your online ID function ready for use with the newly requested ID card. You decide yourself when you want to use this option.
• Your Citizens' Office will inform you when you apply when you can collect your ID card.
  • Alternatively, in many cases you can have the ID document sent to your home address by post and handed over in person at the front door if you are 16 years or older.

You must report the loss as soon as possible.

From the time of application, it usually takes at least 2 weeks until you can collect your identity card from the Bürgeramt.

Für antragstellende Personen ab 24 Jahren.: Fee 37,00 EUR (The amount is to be paid in advance) (Information on cost composition can be found here)

Für antragstellende Personen unter 24 Jahren.: Fee 22,80 EUR (The amount is to be paid in advance) (Information on cost composition can be found here)

Für den vorläufigen Personalausweis.: Fee 10,00 EUR (The amount is to be paid in advance) (Information on cost composition can be found here)

Zuschlag bei Antragstellung außerhalb der Dienstzeit oder nicht am Hauptwohnsitz.: Fee 13,00 EUR (The amount is to be paid in advance) (Information on cost composition can be found here)

Zuschlag für Ausstellung durch konsularische oder diplomatische Vertretung im Ausland.: Fee 30,00 EUR (Information on cost composition can be found here)

Gebühr für Passfoto, wenn die Behörde das Lichtbildsystem PointID der Bundesdruckerei GmbH verwendet. Verwendet die Behörde Lichtbildsysteme anderer Hersteller, darf das Entgelt abweichen.: Fee 6,00 EUR (The amount is to be paid in advance) (Information on cost composition can be found here)

Gebühr bei Versand an Ihre Wohnadresse, wenn der Antragsteller 16 Jahre oder älter ist.: Fee 15,00 EUR (The amount is to be paid in advance) (Information on cost composition can be found here)

Eine Gebührenreduzierung oder -befreiung ist unter bestimmten Voraussetzungen möglich.: Fee free of charge (Information on cost composition can be found here)

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