Applying for an identity card due to name change on marriage

Have you got married and therefore changed your name? Then you must apply for a new identity card if you do not have a valid passport document with the new name. If your children's surname has changed, their documents with the old name are also invalid.

Your ID card is invalid after a name change. If your surname has changed, for example following a marriage or the establishment of a civil partnership, you must apply for a new ID card. The same applies to your children if their names also change when you get married.

There is one exception: as long as you have a valid passport document, i.e. passport or temporary passport, with the new name, you do not have to apply for a new ID card.

The period of validity depends on your age at the time of application:

• under 24 years: ID card is valid for 6 years.
• from the age of 24: ID card is valid for 10 years.
• A temporary identity card is valid for a maximum of 3 months.

If you need your new ID card immediately after marriage with a change of name or after establishing a civil partnership with a change of name, for example for a trip abroad, you can apply for your ID card with the new name at the earliest 8 weeks before the planned date of marriage or establishment of a civil partnership. As an exception, the Citizens' Registration Office will then enter the date of the planned marriage or civil partnership as the date of issue.

When submitting the application, the Citizens' Office will draw your attention to the fact that in all cases in which the date of marriage stated at the time of application is subsequently postponed to a later date and consequently the date of issue of the ID card with the new surname is earlier than the new date of marriage, the ID card will be invalid. It may not be issued. You may have to apply for a new ID card for a fee.

Please contact the Citizens' Office.

• Biometric passport photo: From May 1, 2025, only digitally available biometric photos will be used for new official documents. The photographs will either be taken at the authorities or by photographers. Therefore, citizens can no longer bring their own photograph with them.
• for early applications:
  • valid identity card, passport, temporary passport or temporary identity card
• if applying after marriage with a change of name:
  • if available: a valid passport or temporary passport with the new name
  • if no valid passport document with the new name is available: Marriage certificate or civil partnership certificate or certified excerpt from the marriage or civil partnership register or certificate confirming the use of the name
• 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 legal guardian, additional proof of custody

The obligation to apply for an identity card applies to you if you

• have German citizenship,
• have reached the age of 16,
• are registered in Germany and
• do not have a valid passport or temporary passport with the new name.

For applications outside your main place of residence:

• You must be able to provide an important reason why you are not applying for the ID card at the ID card authority responsible at your main place of residence.
• Exception: The temporary ID card cannot be applied for abroad.

If you are getting married or entering into a civil partnership with a change of name, proceed as follows to apply for a new ID card:

• You must apply for your ID card in person at the Citizens' Registration Office. If you do not apply for your ID card at your main place of residence, you will need an important reason and a surcharge will be added to the fee. If you contact your chosen Citizens' Registration Office in advance, you can find out whether and to what extent the Citizens' Registration Office will accept your reason.
• You can make an appointment online, by e-mail or by telephone at many citizens' registration offices.
• When you apply, your Citizens' Registration Office will let you know when you can collect your ID card.
• Your ID card is produced centrally by Bundesdruckerei GmbH.
• You can arrange a collection appointment online, by e-mail or by telephone at many citizens' registration offices. You can find out what options your local citizens' office offers on its website, for example.
• If you apply early, you will only receive your new ID card after the marriage or after the name declaration has been received by the relevant registry office. Before the identity card is issued, the authorities will check the name on the basis of
  • the marriage certificate,
  • the certified printout of the marriage register or
  • the certificate on the use of the name.

You must apply for a new identity card immediately after the marriage if you have changed your name and do not have a valid passport or temporary passport with the new name.

It usually takes at least 4 weeks from the date of application before you can collect your ID card from the Citizens' Registration Office.

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

for applicants aged 24 and over: Fee 37,00 EUR

for applicants under the age of 24: Fee 22,80 EUR

for the temporary identity card: Fee 10,00 EUR

Application outside working hours or not at the main place of residence: Zuschlag 13,00 EUR

Issued by a consular or diplomatic mission abroad: Zuschlag 30,00 EUR