Apply for a new ID card if you lose it

You can report the loss of your ID card:

• at any ID card office—usually the city hall or the local citizens' office—or
• the police.

You must also apply for a new ID 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 ID card at the Citizens' Office in your city of primary residence. You may submit your application at any other Citizens' Office if you have a valid reason. This may result in additional costs.

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

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

In the event that you find your ID card again, you must report this personally to your ID card authority. Only then will an entry be deleted by the police.

If you have not applied for a new ID card, you can continue to use your ID card that has been reported as recovered within Germany without restriction until it expires.