You can apply for the ID card at the identity card authority of your local government services office.

Who will get the ID card with eID function?

The ID card is issued to German nationals.

Children and young people under 16 can get an ID card without the eID function.

Necessary documents

The following documents are necessary for the application

• valid identity document (an old ID card, if available, otherwise a passport, child identity card or child passport);
• for young people under 16 the application must be submitted by a parent or guardian and, as a rule, requires the consent of the other parent or guardian;
• current passport photograph.

It may also be necessary to present a birth certificate/certificate of parentage, for example if

• you never had an ID card or passport before or
• if data of your ID card do not match the data in the population register.

It is recommended to get in touch with the competent authority prior to the application to find out which documents must be provided.

Photograph requirements

• The photograph must be recent;
• front view, not three-quarter view;
• the face must be centred within the frame;
• the eyes must be open and clearly visible;
• the mouth must be shut; the facial expression must be neutral;

Additional information and illustrating examples can be found in the table of sample photographs (available in German).

Fingerprints

Until July 2021, the additional storage of two fingerprints on the chip is on a voluntary basis. From August 2021 on, the storage of two fingerprints is mandatory for newly issued ID cards throughout Europe.
With the combination of the photograph and the fingerprints, public authorities checking the document can clearly match the document holder with the ID card. You will find more information here.