Leistungen A-Z

You can report the loss

• at any identity card authority, usually the local citizens' registration office, or
• at any police station.

You must also apply for a new identity card if you are over 16 and do not have a valid passport, i.e. a passport or temporary passport. You can do this at the Bürgeramt at your main place of residence.
If you do not apply for your identity card at your main residence, you need an important reason. In addition, a surcharge of EUR 13.00 will be added to the fee. If you contact your chosen Bürgeramt beforehand, you can find out whether and to what extent the Bürgeramt recognises your reason.
In the event that you recover your identity card, you must report this personally to your identity card authority. Only when you have officially reported your identity card as "found" will a corresponding entry in the police records be deleted.
Provided you have not applied for a new identity card, you can continue to use your identity card, which has been reported as found, in Germany without restriction until the end of its validity.

The obligation to apply for an identity card applies to you if you

• have German citizenship
• have reached the age of 16,
• are registered in Germany and
• do not have a valid passport document, i.e. passport or temporary passport.

To apply outside your main place of residence:

• You must be able to show an important reason why you are not applying for the identity card at the identity card authority responsible for your main place of residence.
• Exception: The temporary identity card cannot be applied for abroad.

• biometric passport photo: The photo must be
  • be up to date and
  • meet the requirements for photos for electronic identity cards.
• if available and not yet cancelled: old passport or children's passport (valid or already expired)
• if no valid passport or children's passport available: birth certificate or marriage certificate
• if available: police report of loss
• for children under 16 years of age: if necessary, a declaration of consent from the custodial parent who is not present
  • if there is only one legal guardian, additionally proof of custody

• EUR 37.00 for applicants aged 24 and over
• EUR 22.80 for applicants under 24 years of age
• EUR 10.00 for temporary identity card
• EUR 13.00 surcharge if application is made outside office hours or not at the main place of residence
• EUR 30.00 surcharge for issuance by consular or diplomatic representation abroad

Fee reductions or exemptions are possible for people in need. This is at the discretion of the identity card authority.

To apply for a new identity card after loss, proceed as follows:

• Report the loss to an identity card authority, usually the citizens' registration office, or to the police. You can report the loss informally in writing or in person.
• If you want to apply for a new identity card at the Bürgeramt at the same time, you must do this in person and bring the necessary documents with you.
• When you apply, your Bürgeramt will inform you when you can collect your identity card. It usually takes at least two weeks.
• Your identity card is produced centrally by Bundesdruckerei GmbH.
• You can make an appointment to collect your identity card online, by e-mail or by telephone at many Bürgerämter. You can find out which options are offered by your local Bürgeramt, for example, on its website.

You must report the loss as soon as possible.

local identity card authority

Service hotline for the ID card and the online ID function

Phone +49 1801 333333

E-mail eID_buergerservice@bmi.bund.de

Opening hours

Mon 08:00 a.m. - 05:00 p.m.

Tue 08:00 a.m. - 05:00 p.m.

Wed 08:00 a.m. - 05:00 p.m.

Thu 08:00 am - 05:00 pm

Fri 08:00 a.m. - 05:00 p.m.

• § 9 Identity Card Act (PAuswG)

• Information on the identity card on a website of the Federal Ministry of the Interior, Building and Community

Federal Ministry of the Interior, for Building and Home Affairs