Apply for a temporary identity card

Has your ID card been lost or expired and you need a new one at short notice? Then you can apply for a temporary ID card at the Citizens' Registration Office.

You can use the temporary ID card to bridge the time until a regular ID card is issued.

Your temporary ID card is valid for a maximum of 3 months.

You must return the temporary ID card when the new regular ID card is issued to you.

• biometric digital passport photo: taken on site at the authority or by a registered domestic photo service provider (photographer)
• if available and not yet validated: old identity card or passport or child's passport (valid or already expired)
• if no valid passport or identity card is available: Birth certificate, marriage certificate if applicable
• 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

You can apply for a temporary identity card under the following conditions:

• You have German citizenship
• You are registered in Germany
• You do not have a valid identity card
• You urgently need a valid identity document.

You must apply for the temporary ID card in person.

• Apply for the temporary ID card at the citizens' office at your main place of residence.
• If you do not apply for your temporary ID card at your main place of residence, you need an important reason. Please contact the Citizens' Registration Office of your choice to find out whether the Citizens' Registration Office will accept your reason.
• As a rule, the Citizens' Registration Office will issue your temporary ID card immediately.

A fee reduction or exemption is possible under certain conditions.

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

Zuschlag zur Gebühr 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)

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)

Please note the following:

• You can apply for the provisional and the new, regular ID card in Germany at the same time.
• You cannot apply for the provisional ID card at German diplomatic missions abroad.
• If your ID card is stolen or lost, you must report this to the police.