Apply for a new identity card due to loss

Have you lost your identity card? Then you must report this to the local identity card authority. You must also apply for a new ID card if you are over 16 years old and do not have another valid passport document.

You can report the loss

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

If necessary, you can arrange for the online ID card function to be blocked at the issuing authority or have it blocked via the blocking hotline.

When blocking by telephone, identification via the blocking password is required (was sent with the transport PIN and the PUK by Bundesdruckerei).

If necessary, you can also have the electronic signature blocked by the provider who purchased the signature certificate.

It is important to note that nobody can read your data without your PIN.The easiest way to block is via the telephone blocking hotline.

You must also apply for a new ID card if you are over 16 years old and do not have a valid passport document, i.e. a passport or temporary passport. This is possible at the citizens' office at your main place of residence. If necessary, a temporary ID card can also be issued.

In the event that you find your ID card again, you must report this in person to your local ID card office. Only when you have officially reported your ID card as "found" will a corresponding entry be deleted by the police. If you have not applied for a new ID card, you can continue to use your ID card reported as found in Germany without restriction until it expires.

Please contact the citizens' office at your main place of residence or any other 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. This means that citizens can no longer bring their own photograph with them.
• if available and not yet validated: old passport or children's passport (valid or already expired)
• if no valid passport or children's 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 parent with custody who is not present
  • if there is only one parent or 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 document, i.e. passport or temporary passport.

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 that is responsible at your main place of residence.
• Exception: The temporary ID card cannot be applied for abroad.

To apply for a new ID card after losing it, proceed as follows:

• Report the loss to an identity card authority, usually the citizens' office, or to the police. You can report the loss informally in writing or in person.
• If you want to apply for a new ID card at the Citizens' Registration Office at the same time, you must do this in person and bring the necessary documents with you.
• Your Citizens' Office will inform you when you apply when you can collect your ID card. It usually takes at least two weeks.
• Your ID card is produced centrally by Bundesdruckerei GmbH.
• You can arrange a collection date online, by e-mail or by telephone at many citizens' offices. You can find out what options your citizens' office offers on its website, for example.

A temporary ID card can also be issued.

You must report the loss as soon as possible.

It usually takes at least 3 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

There are countries that generally do not accept the withdrawal of applications for searches (e.g. if the ID document is recovered). There, a recovered identity document remains blocked. There is no guarantee that recovered identity documents can continue to be used outside Germany without restriction. It is therefore recommended that, when traveling abroad, you do not use identity documents that have been reported lost or stolen and instead apply for a new identity document.

The telephone blocking hotline is available around the clock, seven days a week, on thetoll-free number116 116. From abroad, please dial0049-116 116 or0049-30-40 50 40 50(chargeable).