Service content
Description of the
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 obligation or, without being subject to it, reside predominantly in Germany.
The competent identity card authority may exempt persons from the obligation to have an identity card,
- 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,
- who are likely to be permanently accommodated in a hospital, nursing home or similar institution, or
- who are unable to move around in public on their own due to a permanent disability.
When applying for an exemption, you will receive an official letter from the identity card authority. This does not extend the validity of the old ID document.
Please note that a valid ID card is required for identification processes with the online ID card (eID of the ID card) or, for example, with PostIdent. This also applies when travelling abroad.
A new identity card can be applied for at any time.
Responsibility
The municipality in which you are registered for your home, or for your main home if you have more than one home, is responsible for exempting you from the ID card requirement.
Prerequisites
- The person concerned has German citizenship within the meaning of Article 116 (1) of the Basic Law.
- A formal application is submitted to the relevant local authority by the person concerned (from the age of 16), their legal guardian, authorised representative or at the request of the carer.
- A guardian has been appointed for the person or the person is incapable of acting or giving consent and is represented by an authorised representative or by an authorised representative with a publicly certified power of attorney.
- The person is likely to be permanently accommodated in a hospital, nursing home or similar institution.
- The person is unable to move around in public alone due to a permanent disability.
Deadlines
noneRequired documents
When applying as a carer, authorised representative or guardian, please provide the relevant supporting documents
. Where applicable, please provide evidence of the grounds
for exemption. Previous official identity documents of the person to be exempted from the requirement to present identification.Costs
none
Legal basis
Further links
Notes
If you have a valid German identity document, you do not need to be exempt from the ID requirement.
The official letter of exemption from the ID requirement does not extend the validity of the old ID document.
The previous ID card will be withdrawn or cancelled after the expiry date.
If your authority has exempted you from the ID card requirement and you would now like to carry out identification processes with the online ID card (eID of the ID card) or, for example, with PostIdent, you will need a valid ID card. You can apply for a new ID card at any time.
Processing time
For further information and information on processing times, please contact your local identity card authority.