Administrative services A-Z

Your identity card is invalid after a change of name. So if your surname has changed, for example after a marriage or the establishment of a civil partnership, you must apply for a new ID card. The same applies to your children if their names also change when you get married.

There is one exception: as long as you have a valid passport document, i.e. passport or temporary passport, with the new name, you do not have to apply for a new identity card.

The period of validity depends on your age at the time of application:

• under 24 years of age: Identity card is valid for 6 years.
• 24 years and over: Identity card is valid for 10 years.
• A temporary identity card is valid for a maximum of 3 months.

You can apply for it at your Bürgeramt at your main place of residence. If you do not apply for your new 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.

If you need your new identity card immediately after marriage with a name change or after the establishment of a civil partnership with a name change, for example for a trip abroad, you can apply for your identity card with the new name at the earliest 8 weeks before the planned date of the marriage or establishment of a civil partnership. In exceptional cases, the Bürgeramt will then enter the date of the planned marriage or civil partnership as the date of issue. The new identity card may only be issued after the marriage or after receipt of the name declaration at the competent registry office. Before the identity card is issued, the name must be verified on the basis of the marriage certificate or the certified printout of the marriage register or the certificate on the name.

When you apply, the Citizens' Registration Office will draw your attention to the fact that in all cases where the date of marriage indicated at the time of application is subsequently changed to a later date, and consequently the date of issue of the identity card with the new surname is earlier than the new date of marriage, the identity card is invalid. It must not be issued. If necessary, you will have to reapply for the identity card, which will be subject to a fee.

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,
• do not have a valid passport or temporary passport with the new name.

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.
• in case of early application:
  • valid identity card, passport, temporary passport or temporary identity card.
• in case of application after marriage with change of name:
  • if available: a valid passport or temporary passport with the new name
  • if no valid passport document with the new name exists Marriage certificate or civil partnership certificate or certified excerpt from the marriage or civil partnership register or certificate on the use of the name.
• for children under 16 years of age: if necessary, declaration of consent of the custodial parent who is not present.
  • if there is only one legal guardian, additionally the 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.

In the case of marriage or the establishment of a civil partnership with a change of name, proceed as follows to apply for the new identity card:

You must apply for your identity card in person at the Bürgeramt. If you do not apply for your identity card at your main place of residence, you need an important reason and a surcharge 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.

• Many Bürgeramt offices allow you to make an appointment online, by e-mail or by telephone. You can find out what options your Bürgeramt offers on its website, for example.
• When you apply, your Bürgeramt will inform you when you can collect your identity card.
• 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.
• If you apply early, you will not receive your new identity card until after the marriage or after the name declaration has been received by the relevant registry office. Before handing over the identity card, the authorities check the name on the basis of
  • the marriage certificate,
  • the certified printout of the marriage register or
  • the certificate of name registration.

You must apply for the new identity card immediately after the marriage if there has been a change of name and you do not have a valid passport or temporary passport with the new name.

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