Administrative services A-Z

If your name has changed, your identity card is invalid. Therefore, in this case, you must apply for a new one
There is one exception: as long as you have a valid passport document, i.e. passport or temporary passport, with the new name, there is no obligation to apply for a new identity card.
The EU logo on the front of the ID card, which will be introduced from 2 August 2021, will not invalidate ID cards without this logo.
The period of validity depends on your age at the time of application:

• under 24 years: 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 at your Bürgeramt at your main place of residence. Applications can be made at any other Bürgeramt if an important reason is given. There is a surcharge for lack of competence, which means that the costs of issuing the card increase.

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

• have German citizenship
• have reached the age of 16 and
• 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 Bürgeramt at your main place of residence.

• old identity card, passport or children's passport (with the old name) and, if available, valid passport (with the new name)
• certificate from the registry office about the name
• for children under 16 years of age: Declaration of consent of the legal guardian
  • in case of only one legal guardian additionally the proof of custody
• biometric passport photo: The photo must be
  • be up to date and
  • meet the requirements for photos for electronic identity cards.

• EUR 37.00 for applicants aged 24 and over
• EUR 22.80 for applicants under 24 years of age
• EUR 10.00 for the temporary identity card
• EUR 13.00 surcharge for applications submitted outside office hours or to authorities not having jurisdiction
• EUR 30.00 surcharge for issuance by consular or diplomatic representation abroad

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

User Charge: 37 EUR (fix)
Vorkasse: Nein

User Charge: 22.8 EUR (fix)
Vorkasse: Nein

User Charge: 10 EUR (fix)
Vorkasse: Nein

User Charge: 13 EUR (fix)
Vorkasse: Nein

User Charge: 30 EUR (fix)
Vorkasse: Nein

When you change your name, you apply for the new identity card as follows:
You must apply for your identity card in person at the Citizens' Registration Office. 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.
• When you apply for an ID card, the authorities will check the new name on the basis of the civil registry certificate on the name.

You must apply for the new identity card immediately after the name change if you do not have a valid passport document (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 - 17:00

Tue 08:00 - 17:00

Wed 08:00 - 17:00

Thu 08:00 - 17:00

Fri 08:00 - 17:00

• § Section 9 of the Identity Card Act (PAuswG)

• Information on the ID card on a website of the Federal Ministry of the Interior and for Home Affairs (BMI)

Federal Ministry of the Interior, for Building and Home Affairs