Detailed description
Anyone of any age with German citizenship can apply for an identity card. This also applies to children (from birth). If you are under 16, you must be accompanied by your parents. Your parents or legal guardians will submit the application for you.
Your identity card is valid for six years and must be reapplied for after that. A temporary identity card is valid for a maximum of three months.
The identity card becomes invalid before the expiry of the registered validity period if
- Entries become incorrect or
- the photograph is no longer clearly suitable for identification. This can be particularly the case with ID cards for infants or very young children.
There is one exception: changing your address does not invalidate your application.
The EU logo on the front of identity cards, introduced from 2 August 2021, does not invalidate cards without this logo.
The new ID card is equipped with the electronic identity verification function. This function is automatically deactivated for children and young people up to the age of 16. Later activation (from age 16) is possible free of charge at any ID card authority at the primary residence.
You can submit the application to the identity card authority at your primary residence, which in ʱʱ the Hamburg Service - Location for Residents' Affairs.
Applications can be submitted to any other ID card authority if a valid reason is presented. A non-competence surcharge applies, which increases the issuing costs. Approval from the ID card authority at the primary residence is required for the issuance of the ID card; this approval is obtained by the respective Hamburg Service.
Starting May 1, 2025, there are new regulations regarding the required photo. From this date, you will no longer be permitted to submit paper-based photos. Instead, you will need an electronic photo. You can create this on-site or bring the QR code provided by a photographer. Further information can be found in the "Links" section.