Identity documents

How can I get a new national identity card? How and where can I use the online identification function? Where can I apply for amendments? This section provides information and contact details for government services related to identity documents such as national identity cards and passports.

Services:

Apply for a change of address in the electronic proof of identity

If your address changes, you must also have it changed immediately in the electronic proof of identity (online ID function) in your ID card, your electronic residence permit or your eID card for EU citizens.

Apply for a change of residence in your passport

The place of residence is noted in your passport. If your place of residence in Germany changes, you must have the new place of residence entered in your passport. If your new address is in the same place of residence, you do not need to have your passport amended.

Apply for a diplomatic passport or service passport

If you perform official duties for the Federal Republic of Germany abroad, you may be issued an official passport by the Federal Foreign Office under certain conditions. Depending on your activity, you may receive a diplomatic passport or a service passport.

Apply for a disabled person's pass

If you have been diagnosed with a severe disability, you can apply for a severely disabled person's pass.

Apply for a new social security card

You can apply for a new social security card if you have lost it, it has been damaged or is no longer legible.

Apply for a passport

If you need a passport, you must apply for one.

Apply for a passport due to change of other data

If you have a German passport and certain data changes, you must apply for a new passport.

Apply for a passport with 48 pages

Would you like to apply for a passport with 48 pages? You must submit an application in person.

Apply for a second passport

In principle, no one may hold more than one passport. However, if you can prove a legitimate interest, you may be issued with a second passport.

Apply for a severely disabled person's ID card with or without token

If you are severely disabled, you are entitled to free public transport or a vehicle tax reduction under certain conditions.

Apply for a travel document as a passport replacement for emergencies

If you realize shortly before departure that your passport has expired, you can, under certain conditions, apply for replacement documents at short notice as a German citizen.

Apply for an emergency travel document for foreigners

If, as a foreigner, you discover shortly before leaving Germany that your travel documents have expired, you can apply for an emergency travel document under certain conditions.

Apply for an express passport

The delivery time for a passport is usually at least 2 weeks. If you need a passport at short notice, you can apply for a passport using an express procedure.

Apply for an identity card

If you have German citizenship, you can apply for an identity card.

Apply for an identity card due to expiry of validity

If your identity card expires, you must apply for a new one if you are over 16 years old and do not have a valid passport document.

Apply for an identity card due to other name change

If your name changes, you must apply for a new identity card if you do not have a valid passport document with the new name.

Apply for an identity card for people up to the age of 16

If you are under the age of 16, your parents or legal guardians can apply for an ID card for you.

Apply for approval of bonus points for Part 66 license

If you are seeking a Part-66 aircraft maintenance license and already have qualifications, you can apply for approval of bonus points. This may (partially) waive the requirement to provide evidence of module examinations.

Apply for approval to develop aircraft and aeronautical equipment

If your company wishes to commercially develop technologies for aircraft and aeronautical equipment, you require a permit from the Federal Aviation Office. Changes to a permit are also subject to approval.

Apply for authorization for airworthiness personnel acting on their own behalf (IARS)

If you wish to act as airworthiness personnel in your own name, you can apply for, extend or renew your authorization (IARS authorization) under certain conditions.

Apply for designation as a test center (PSfF) for conducting theory tests for remote pilots

If you want to offer theory examinations and refresher training for remote pilots, you need a permit. You can apply for this from the Federal Aviation Office.

Apply for eID card

If you are a citizen of the European Union or belong to the European Economic Area, you can apply for an eID card to identify yourself online.

Apply for European Firearms Pass

If you want to take your weapons within the European Union (EU) or to Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway and Switzerland, you need a European Firearms Pass.

Apply for exemption from identification as a permanently disabled person who cannot move in public

If you cannot move alone in public because of a disability, then you may be exempt from the requirement to have an ID card.

Apply for exemption from the ID card requirement for permanently housed persons

If you are expected to be permanently confined to a hospital, nursing home, or similar facility, then you may be exempt from the requirement to have an ID card.

Apply for on-the-job training (OJT) in individual cases

To complete the aircraft type training course, you can apply to the Luftfahrt-Bundesamt (also by proxy) for on-the-job training (OJT) for the first time or again, change an already approved OJT or register an assessment date.

Apply to the Federal Aviation Office for an examination for technical personnel

To take the examination for technical personnel, you must apply to the LBA for participation. The exam is required if you are seeking a Part 66 license, supplement a type entry or wish to change or renew your PvL permit or delete restrictions.

Applying for a passport abroad

If you live abroad, you can apply for your German passport in person at a German mission abroad or, in some countries, at an honorary consular official.

Applying for a temporary passport

Do you urgently need a passport and neither a regular nor an express passport can be issued in time? Then you can apply for a temporary passport.

Applying for an ID card for the first time

As soon as you are 16 years old, you must have a valid identity document that can be used to establish your identity. This is usually an identity card or passport.

Applying for an identity card due to name change after divorce

Have you divorced and then changed your surname? Then you must apply for a new identity card if you do not have a valid passport document with the new name.

Applying for an identity card due to name change on marriage

Have you got married and therefore changed your name? Then you must apply for a new identity card if you do not have a valid passport document with the new name. If your children's surname has changed, their documents with the old name are also invalid.

Applying for an identity card due to theft

Has your identity card been stolen? Then you must report this. You must also apply for a new ID card if you are over 16 years old and do not have a valid passport document.

Applying for an identity card for German nationals with permanent residence abroad

If you are a German citizen and do not live in Germany, you can apply for an identity card at selected diplomatic missions abroad that have been designated as identity card authorities by the Federal Foreign Office.

Applying for matters in connection with a Part 66 license

If you do not yet have a European Part-66 license, you can apply for an initial Part-66 license under certain conditions. You can also apply to the Luftfahrt-Bundesamt for other matters relating to the German Part-66 license.

Applying for replacement of flight attendant certificates

As a flight attendant, do you need a new flight attendant certificate instead? You can apply for this from the Federal Aviation Office (LBA) under certain conditions

Applying for the initial issue or amendment of an inspection license for aviation equipment inspectors (PvL)

You can apply to the Luftfahrt-Bundesamt for a class 4 aircraft inspector's license (PvL). You can also submit an application to renew, extend or amend an existing PvL permit.

Citizenship - Retention of German citizenship

Here you will find information on retaining German citizenship.

Contact point for online dispute resolution

The contact point for online dispute resolution. Your free point of contact for disputes with a company in another EU country.

Declaring renunciation of German citizenship - for persons abroad

If you live abroad and have several citizenships, you can submit a declaration of renunciation of German citizenship under certain conditions.

electronic proof of identity activation

Do you want to have the online ID card on your ID card activated at a later date? You can do this at your identity card authority. The date from which you can simply activate the online ID card yourself will be announced at www.personalausweisportal.de.

electronic proof of identity activation for the first time

You want to have the online ID card of your ID card activated? You can reset your PIN or activate the online ID card function free of charge. You can do this at your ID card office or online.

electronic proof of identity blocking

You can have your electronic identity card blocked if you have lost it or it has been stolen.

electronic proof of identity granting insight into readable data for providers on the Internet or vending machines

As part of the online ID card function, certain data can be read from your ID card by providers on the Internet or by vending machines. You can gain insight into which data can be read out.

electronic proof of identity storage

Here you will find information on the storage of your data in the chip of the ID card.

electronic proof of identity storage of signature certificates

You can also use your online ID card function for electronic signatures. To do this, you must purchase a corresponding signature certificate from a certified provider.

electronic proof of identity unblocking

If you recover your ID card, you can have the online ID card function unblocked at the ID card office.

Get identity card information

You can obtain information about the ID card on the Internet or from your local ID card office.

Have parking permit and parking facilitation for severely disabled persons renewed

If you are severely disabled and have a parking permit, then you can have it renewed.

Have your ID card updated to the latest version

If the data on your ID card is no longer up to date, you must have this changed as soon as possible.

Have your identity card address changed

If you move house, you must notify the relevant office of this change of address.

ID card Information on the ID card with online ID function

You can obtain information on the ID card with online ID function from your local ID card authority and on the Internet.

ID card obligation Request exemption

Under certain conditions, you can be exempted from the ID requirement.

ID card requirement Apply for exemption for assisted persons

If this is why a guardian has been appointed for you, then you may be exempt from the requirement to have an ID card.

Identity card Obtain information on the processing status

You will be informed as soon as your requested ID card is ready for collection at the ID card office.

Identity card report due to recovery

If you recover your ID card that has been reported lost, you must report it.

Make identity card messages

If anything changes with respect to your ID card or the data entered on it, you must report it immediately.

New passport issue due to change of name in the event of divorce or dissolution of a civil partnership

If your surname has changed (e.g. due to marriage or divorce), you must apply for a new travel document immediately.

Online ID card function Change PIN

You can activate your online ID card function free of charge.

Organ Donation

If you wish to donate your organs after your death, you can indicate this on an organ donor card.

Out of force - applying for a child's passport for the first time

If you want to travel abroad with your child, they will need a travel document. Depending on the destination country, your child will need a child passport, identity card or a regular passport. The identity documents must be applied for in person.

Out of force - child passport extension

If the child's passport expires, you as the legal guardian can apply for an extension.

Out of force - children's passport change due to change of address

If you change your place of residence, you must arrange for your child's passport to be changed.

Parking permit - apply for reissuance of resident parking permit due to loss or damage (replacement).

If lost or damaged, you must reapply for your resident parking permit.

Parking permit - have resident parking permit renewed

You can have your resident parking permit extended upon application.

Parking permit - Resident parking permit application

If you wish to obtain a resident parking permit, then you must apply for it at the appropriate authority.

Parking permit and parking facilitation for severely disabled persons received

As a severely disabled person, you can receive a parking permit and parking facilitations under certain conditions. You must apply for these.

Passport replacement in the event of passport loss abroad

If you have lost your passport abroad or it has been stolen and you wish to travel home, you must have replacement travel documents issued. You can apply for these at the German diplomatic mission in the country you are traveling to.

Passport status query

You can inquire about the processing status of the passport at the relevant office.

Pick up identity card

Your new ID card is ready for collection from the relevant ID card authority. You can collect it in person or by proxy with a collection authorization.

Reapply for identity card due to loss

Have you lost your identity card? Then you must report this to the local identity card authority. You must also apply for a new ID card if you are over 16 years old and do not have another valid passport document.

Recognition of Bundeswehr service periods as experience in aircraft maintenance

If you are seeking a Part-66 aircraft maintenance license and already have qualifications, you can apply for approval of bonus points. This may (partially) waive the requirement to provide evidence of module examinations.

Release from German citizenship for persons abroad

If you live abroad and have to give up your German citizenship because you want to acquire another nationality, you can apply for a release under certain conditions.

Report identity card theft

If your ID card has been stolen, you must report it.

Report loss of own identity card

If you lose your identity card, you must report it.

Requesting a temporary identity card

Your identity card has been lost or has expired and you need a new one? Then you can apply for a temporary identity card.

Retroactively activate online ID card function

If you want to activate your online ID card function at a later date, you can apply for this online or at the ID card authority.

Submit photo for the electronic health card

Did you provide your photo for the electronic health card (eGK) more than 10 years ago? Then your health insurance company may ask you to submit a new photo.

Travel documents

Here you will find information on your rights and obligations when traveling abroad as well as on necessary travel documents for minors and on the loss or expiry of travel documents.

Travel with pets (pets)

Here you will find information about traveling abroad with a pet or importing a pet from abroad.

View travel and safety information on the website of the Federal Foreign Office

Travel and safety advice for your destination can be found on the website of the Federal Foreign Office.

Please select the desired service on the left.