Applying for an identity card due to theft

Has your identity card been stolen? Then you must report this. You must also apply for a new ID card if you are over 16 years old and do not have a valid passport document.

The theft of your identity card must be reported to

• any identity card authority, usually the local citizens' office, or
• any police station. If you do not do this, you are committing an offense.
  

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.

Please contact the identity card 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 theft, proceed as follows:

• Report the theft to an identity card authority, usually the citizens' office, or to the police. You can report the theft 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.
• 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 local citizens' office offers on its website, for example.

You must report the theft as soon as possible.

It usually takes at least 2-3 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

Since 01.09.2021, a transparent Braille sticker with the inscription "ad" (identity document) can be affixed to the ID card, the eID card or the electronic residence permit on the back of the ID card at the request of the document holder.