Apply for a new identity card if lost

You can report the loss of your identity card:

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

You must also apply for a new identity card if you

• are over 16 years old, are registered in Germany and
• do not have a valid passport document, i.e. a passport or temporary passport.

You can apply for a new identity card at the citizens' registration office at your main residence. Applications at any other citizens' registration office are possible if you have a valid reason. This may incur additional costs.

All identity cards automatically have the online ID function. This function is generally activated for identity cards issued from July 2017 onwards. This allows you to identify yourself with a high level of trust for online services offered by authorities and companies as soon as you have set a self-selected six-digit PIN. You can use the online ID after your 16th birthday.

When you apply for your identity card, the fingerprints of both your index fingers are usually stored on the card's chip. Children under 6 years of age are exempt from this requirement.

If you find your identity card again, you must report it in person to your identity card authority. Only then will any police record be deleted.

Unless you have applied for a new identity card, you can continue to use your identity card that has been reported as found within Germany without restrictions until its expiry date.