Apply for an identity card as a person under 16

Your parents or legal guardians must apply for the ID card personally and together with you at the Citizens' Office:

• Your parents submit the application jointly if they have joint custody.
• One custodial parent can be represented by the other custodial parent by power of attorney.
• They must sign if they are 10 years or older at the time of application.
• The submission of fingerprints for storage in the document is legally required for the application (usually a flat print of the left and right index finger).
  • Persons who have not yet reached the age of 6 do not provide a fingerprint.
• You will receive a one-time PIN and the unlocking number (PUK) in a sealed envelope. You will only need this information after your 16th birthday.
• Your Citizens' Registration Office will inform your parents when you apply when they can collect your ID card.
• At many citizens' offices, your parents can arrange a collection date online, by e-mail or by telephone.
• You can find out which options your Citizens' Registration Office offers on their website, for example.

Please contact the identity card office in your place of residence.

You can be issued with an ID card if you are under 16 and have German citizenship.

For applications outside your main place of residence:

• You or your legal guardian must have an important reason why you are not applying for your ID card at the Citizens' Registration Office at your main place of residence.

• old identity document, regardless of whether it is valid or has already expired:
  • old identity card or passport
  • old children's passport
• if no old identity card or passport is available:
  • birth certificate
• if only one parent with custody is present:
  • Declaration of consent of the non-custodial parent present
• if only one parent is present:
  • Proof of custody
• biometric digital passport photo: taken on site at the authority or by a registered domestic photo service provider (photographer). There are exceptions to the biometric requirements for infants and small children according to the sample photo table.

You must apply for an identity card at the latest when you turn 16. Exception: You have a valid passport document such as a passport or temporary passport.

It usually takes at least 2 weeks from the date of application before you can collect your ID card from the Citizens' Registration Office.

• § Section 1(4)(1) of the Act on Identity Cards and Electronic Proof of Identity (Identity Card Act - PAuswG)

If your ID card is stolen, you must report this to the police. If you lose your ID card, you can block it by calling the blocking hotline.

• Informationen zum Personalausweis auf der Internetseite des Bundesministeriums des Innern (BMI)
• Fragen und Antworten zum Thema "Biometrie" und Passfotos auf dem Personalausweisportal
• Informationen zur Sperrung des Personalausweises bei Verlust auf dem Personalausweisportal des Bundesministeriums des Innern (BMI)

25.06.2025