Apply for an identity card
Source: BUS Rheinland-PfalzAs a person with German citizenship, you can have an identity card issued. If you have reached the age of 16 and do not have a valid passport, you must apply for an ID card.
The period of validity of your ID card depends on your age at the time of application:
- Application under the age of 24: ID card is valid for 6 years.
- Application from the age of 24: ID card is valid for 10 years.
Your ID card loses its validity before the expiry date entered on it if
- Entries no longer apply or
- your photo is no longer clearly suitable for identification purposes. This may be the case in particular with ID cards for infants or very young children.
There is one exception: a change of address or height will not invalidate your ID card.
You also have the option of applying for a temporary ID card. This is valid for a maximum of 3 months.
You can submit the application to your identity card authority at your main place of residence, which is usually the Citizens' Registration Office.
If there is an important reason, you can also apply for an ID card at an authority outside the jurisdiction of your place of residence. This may result in additional costs.
An identity card is issued on application. You must appear in person to submit your application.
Any German citizen within the meaning of Article 116 (1) of the Basic Law who has reached the age of 16 can apply for an ID card. The identity card is issued for a period of validity of 10 years. For persons who have not yet reached the age of 24, the period of validity is 6 years. It is not possible to extend the period of validity.
The ID card can be applied for at the Nieder-Olm municipal administration during office hours.
The ID cards are produced by Bundesdruckerei GmbH in Berlin. Due to the digital application process introduced at the citizens' office on 11.07.05, the processing time is 2 - 4 weeks.