Identity card; application

! CHANGE AS OF 01.05.2025 !

In accordance with the Act on Strengthening Security in Passport, ID and Foreigners' Documents of 3 December 2020, digital photographs must be used for applications for official documents since 1 May 2025 in order to prevent manipulated photographs from being introduced into the application process. Since 1 May 2025, the photograph can either continue to be taken by the photographer, who must upload the photograph to a secure cloud. You will receive a printout of a data matrix code (similar to a QR code), which the authority can use to find and download your photograph in the cloud. Alternatively, the ID card authority can offer to take photos electronically on site at the authority and transfer them to the application process without media discontinuity. Please contact the authority to find out whether it has devices for taking photographs.

Since 2 May 2025, it has been possible for persons aged 16 and over to have their German identity cards sent to their registered address in Germany for an additional fee of €15.00. The item may only be handed over to the addressee in person. Further information on direct delivery is available from your identity card authority.

The new electronic ID card in cheque card format was introduced on 1 November 2010. In addition to the inclusion of biometric features (photo) and the voluntary storage of fingerprints (until 1 August 2021), the main innovation is the introduction of electronic proof of identity, the so-called eID function or online ID function ("This is me."). In addition, the new ID card is prepared for the use of a signature and signature function ("I wrote that." or "I want that.").

Since 2 August 2021, two fingerprints of the ID card holder have been stored in the chip of the ID card in addition to the photograph. The previous right of choice regarding the recording of fingerprints no longer applies. The fingerprint data will only be recorded for storage in the chip. They will be deleted at the latest when the ID card is collected from the ID card manufacturer and the ID card authority. Germany is implementing Regulation 2019/1157 of the European Union by making fingerprinting mandatory.

In addition, in implementation of the aforementioned Regulation 2019/1157 of the European Union, the ID card was introduced in the new design on 2 August 2021. The new design is externally recognisable by the EU flag, which was also introduced on all ID cards of the EU member states on 2 August 2021.

Seit 15.07.2017 ist mit dem Gesetz zur Förderung des elektronischen Identitätsnachweises die eID-Funktion (Online-Ausweisfunktion) bei jedem Ausweis automatisch und dauerhaft eingeschaltet, sofern Sie 16 Jahre alt sind. Ihre zuständige Personalausweisbehörde bietet Ihnen dazu die Informationsbroschüre des Bundesministeriums des Innern "Sicher, einfach, digital – Der Online-Ausweis" an (siehe unter Weiterführende Links).

Die Online-Ausweisfunktion ist der digitale Schlüssel für eine moderne Verwaltung, weil sie Ihnen die Inanspruchnahme von digitalen Verwaltungsleistungen ermöglicht, wie beispielsweise die elektronische Wohnsitzanmeldung und die elektronische Beantragung eines Führungszeugnisses. Zudem werden immer mehr Anwendungen der Online-Ausweisfunktion von privatwirtschaftlichen Unternehmen angeboten (z. B. von Banken, Versicherungsunternehmen). Seit Sommer 2017 ist auch ein Vor-Ort-Auslesen von Ausweisdaten unter Anwesenden zum Zwecke der medienbruchfreien Übernahme von Formulardaten möglich.

Zum 17. Februar 2025 wurde das PIN-Brief-Verfahren umgestellt. Der PIN-Brief, der die fünfstellige Einmal-PIN, sog. Transport-PIN und die PUK (Nummer zur Aufhebung der PIN-Blockade, wenn Sie Ihre PIN dreimal falsch eingegeben haben) für die Nutzung des Online-Ausweises ab 16 Jahren enthält, wird nunmehr bei der Beantragung eines Personalausweises durch die Personalausweisbehörde übergeben. Ab 1. Mai 2026 erhalten Personen unter 10 Jahren keinen PIN-Brief mehr, da im Zusammenhang mit der eID-Funktion die Altersgrenze von 16 Jahren im Zeitraum der Gültigkeit des Dokuments nicht erreicht wird. Bei der Abholung Ihres neuen Personalausweises wird Ihnen ein Schreiben mit dem Sperrkennwort, welches Sie zur Sperrung des Ausweises z. B. bei Verlust benötigen, gemeinsam mit dem neuen Dokument ausgehändigt.

Für eine einsatzfähige eID-Funktion benötigen Sie Ihre persönliche PIN, weshalb Sie die Einmal-PIN durch eine persönliche PIN ersetzen müssen. Das können Sie selbst (z. B. mit der AusweisApp und einem geeigneten, NFC-fähigen Smartphone) oder jederzeit in Ihrer Behörde gebührenfrei erledigen. Es empfiehlt sich, Ihre selbstgewählte sechsstellige PIN gleich bei der Abholung Ihres Personalausweises in der Behörde zu setzen. Falls Sie Ihre PIN vergessen bzw. den PIN-Brief verlegt haben, können Sie in jeder Personalausweisbehörde die Neusetzung der PIN vornehmen lassen.

The online ID function makes an important contribution to the security of your data and to data economy, because you can decide for yourself at any time whether and to whom you make which data available with regard to the personal identification number (PIN) and the requirement for authorisation certificates for service providers.

Germans within the meaning of Article 116(1) of the Basic Law are obliged to possess a valid identity card as soon as they reach the age of 16 and are subject to the general registration requirement or, without being subject to it, reside predominantly in Germany. They must present it at the request of an authority authorised to verify their identity and allow the authority to compare their face with the photograph on the identity card. The identity card holder may not be required to deposit the identity card or otherwise relinquish custody of it. This does not apply to authorities authorised to verify identity or in cases of confiscation and seizure.

The identification requirement can also be fulfilled by holding and presenting a valid passport or temporary passport. Identity documents from other countries are not suitable for this purpose.

The identification requirement also applies to persons serving a prison sentence from three months before their release.

The competent identity card authority may exempt persons from the obligation to carry identification,

1. for whom a guardian has not only been appointed by temporary order or who are incapable of acting or consenting and are represented by an authorised representative with a publicly certified power of attorney,
2. who are likely to be permanently accommodated in a hospital, nursing home or similar institution, or
3. who are unable to move around in public on their own due to a permanent disability.

An identity card can also be issued on request if a person is under the age of 16 or if they are German within the meaning of Art. 116 Para. 1 of the Basic Law but are not subject to the obligation to register because they do not have a home in Germany (e.g. Germans living abroad).

The ID card is valid for different lengths of time:

• before the age of 24: 6 years
• from the age of 24: 10 years
• Temporary identity card maximum: 3 months

It is not possible to extend the period of validity.

Responsibility

Für die Ausstellung des Personalausweises ist die Gemeinde zuständig, in der Sie für Ihre Wohnung, bei mehreren Wohnungen für Ihre Hauptwohnung, gemeldet sind. Bei Vorliegen eines wichtigen Grundes kann auch eine unzuständige Personalausweisbehörde die Ausstellung vornehmen.

Since 1 January 2013, the Federal Foreign Office and its designated missions abroad have been the competent identity card authorities for identity card matters abroad. You can find an overview of the competent identity card authorities abroad under "Further links". With the consent of the identity card authority abroad, identity card applications from Germans living abroad can be accepted and processed by identity card authorities in Germany if an important reason is presented (e.g. if the journey to the competent identity card authority is considerably further than to the incompetent identity card authority).