Administrative services A-Z

The data in the identity card must always be up to date, otherwise it becomes invalid. In addition, as a German citizen you are obliged to have an identity card from the age of 16.
You are therefore obliged to notify the Bürgeramt of the following:

• Name changes
• if you have lost your identity card
• if your identity card has been stolen
• if you have recovered your identity card after reporting it as lost
• Note: You can also report the loss and theft of your identity card to the police.

There are 2 exceptions:

• If your address or height changes, your ID card will still be valid.
• If you do not comply with the obligation to report a change of address within Germany, you are acting irregularly.

You are in possession of a German identity card.

in the event of a change of data, for example a change of name:

• Proof of the new name by means of a new civil status certificate (for example, marriage certificate, register extract from the registry office concerning the new name).
• Biometric photograph

You will not incur any costs as a result of the notification.
If you report a change of name, fees may be incurred as the document must be reissued if there is no valid passport with the new name.

Report the change, loss, theft or subsequent recovery to a Citizens Advice Bureau. You can also report loss and theft to the police.

You must make the notification without delay.

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.

• Section 27 (1) Nos. 1 and 3 of the Identity Card Act (PAuswG)
• Section 28 (1) No. 2 of the Identity Card Act (PAuswG)

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

Federal Ministry of the Interior, for Building and Home Affairs