Apply for an identity card as a person under 16
Service description
If you have German citizenship, you can apply for an identity card. This applies to children from birth. If you are under 16, you must be accompanied by your parents. Your parents or legal guardians will take care of the application for you.
Your identity card is valid for a maximum of 6 years. When you turn 16, you must have a valid identity card if you do not have a valid passport.
The ID card becomes invalid before the expiry date entered in the following cases:
- Entries no longer apply, for example if the name changes.
- You are no longer clearly recognisable in your photo. This can be the case in particular with ID cards for babies or very young children.
You can submit the application to your identity card authority at your main place of residence. This is usually the Citizens' Registration Office. Applications can be made at any other identity card authority if you have an important reason. You will then pay a surcharge.
The ID card can be used as electronic proof of identity (online ID) from the age of 16. This function is automatically switched off for children and young people up to the age of 16. If you are at least 16 years old, you can have the function subsequently activated free of charge, for example at the citizens' office, and at the same time set a six-digit PIN of your own choice before you can use the online ID card.
If you urgently need an identity document, you can first apply for a temporary identity card. This is valid for a maximum of 3 months.
Responsible office
Responsibility lies with the identity card authority (mayor/mayor) of the municipality of residence.
Prerequisites
You can be issued an identity card if you are under 16 and have German citizenship.
For applications outside your main place of residence:
- You or your legal guardian must have an important reason why you are not applying for your ID card at the Citizens' Registration Office at your main place of residence.
Which documents are required?
- old identity document, regardless of whether it is valid or has already expired:
- old identity card or passport
- old child passport
- if no old identity card or passport is available:
- Birth certificate
- with only one custodial parent present:
- Declaration of consent from the parent with custody who is not present
- if there is only one person with parental authority:
- Proof of custody
- Biometric digital passport photo: taken on site at the authority or by a registered domestic photo service provider (photographer). There are exceptions to the biometric requirements for infants and small children according to the sample photo table.
- Photo sample board
(Bundesdruckerei)
- old identity document, regardless of whether it is valid or has already expired:
What fees are incurred?
A fee reduction or exemption is possible under certain conditions.
Fee: 27,60 €Prepayment: Yeshttps://www.personalausweisportal.de/Webs/PA/DE/buergerinnen-und-buerger/der-personalausweis/gebuehren-und-gueltigkeit/gebuehren-und-gueltigkeit-node.htmlKassenzeichenFees for the identity cardFee: 10,00 €Prepayment: Yeshttps://www.personalausweisportal.de/Webs/PA/DE/buergerinnen-und-buerger/der-personalausweis/gebuehren-und-gueltigkeit/gebuehren-und-gueltigkeit-node.htmlKassenzeichenFees for the temporary identity cardFee: 13,00 €Prepayment: Yeshttps://www.personalausweisportal.de/Webs/PA/DE/buergerinnen-und-buerger/der-personalausweis/gebuehren-und-gueltigkeit/gebuehren-und-gueltigkeit-node.htmlKassenzeichenSurcharge for applications submitted outside office hours or if the competent authority is not availableFee: 30,00 €Prepayment: Yeshttps://www.personalausweisportal.de/Webs/PA/DE/buergerinnen-und-buerger/der-personalausweis/gebuehren-und-gueltigkeit/gebuehren-und-gueltigkeit-node.htmlKassenzeichenSurcharge for issue by consular or diplomatic representation abroadFee: 6,00 €Prepayment: Yeshttps://www.personalausweisportal.de/Webs/PA/DE/buergerinnen-und-buerger/der-personalausweis/gebuehren-und-gueltigkeit/gebuehren-und-gueltigkeit-node.htmlKassenzeichenFee for passport photo if the authority uses the PointID photo system from Bundesdruckerei GmbH. If the authority uses photo systems from other manufacturers, the fee may differ.What deadlines do I have to observe?
You must apply for an identity card at the latest when you turn 16. Exception: You have a valid passport document such as a passport or a temporary passport.
For applicants under 24 years of age.
Period of validity: 6 years
Processing time
It usually takes at least 2 weeks from the date of application before you can collect your ID card from the Citizens' Registration Office.
Legal basis
What else should I know?
If your ID card is stolen, you must report this to the police. If you lose your ID card, you can block it by calling the blocking hotline.
Issuing body
Forwarding service: Deep link to the source portal Forwarding service: Deep link to the source portal- Apply for an identity card as a person under 16
Display of performance in the source portal
- Identity card issue for under 16 year olds in Hesse
Display of performance in the source portal
- Apply for an identity card as a person under 16
Typing
2/3Library entry status
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