From May 1, 2025, we will only be allowed to use digital photos taken by a certified studio or drugstore (you will then receive a code) or directly at a self-service terminal in the administration office when applying for passports and identity cards. These are currently available at the citizen service center in the Kaiserstraße town hall and in the local administrations of Altstadt, Hartenberg-Münchfeld, and Lerchenberg.

• Germans aged 16 and over are required to have an ID card. An exception is made if you have a valid passport.
• The temporary ID card is valid for a maximum of 3 months.
• When issuing the temporary ID card, we must confiscate the old ID card.

Application:

• This must be done in person, as you will need to sign the application.
• Children aged 10 and over must also sign their identity card in person.

Children and young people under the age of 16:

• They can apply for an identity card. This is necessary, for example, for travel within the EU.
• Three months before reaching the age of 16, it is possible to apply without the presence of a legal guardian.

Children and young people under the age of 15 years and 9 months:

• Both legal guardians must give their consent.
• It is not necessary for both parents to be present when applying. However, we do require a declaration of consent from the parent who is not present.

We will issue the temporary ID card immediately.
The temporary ID card does not have any online functions.

• Old identity card or passport as proof of identity
• Old child ID card, child passport, or birth certificate

If you do not have a current photo, you can have one taken at the self-service terminal at the Citizen Service Center and the local government offices in Altstadt, Hartenberg-Münchfeld, and Lerchenberg. This costs €6.
Simply follow the blue arrows in the entrance area of the Citizens' Service Center. The photo taken at the Citizens' Service Center or the local government offices in Altstadt, Hartenberg-Münchfeld, and Lerchenberg can also be accessed by the local government offices within 14 days.

If the applicant is under 15 years and 9 months of age, we also require the passport or identity card of the parent present.

If the parents are not registered at the same address, both parents must be present with their identification documents. Otherwise, we require the consent form of the parent who is not present and a copy of their identification.

If there is only one legal guardian, we require proof of custody.

• If the family name has changed due to marriage, we also require the original marriage certificate with proof of the name change.
• If you are registering a doctoral title, we also require the doctoral certificate. You must submit the original certificate in German.

You can find out whether a doctoral degree obtained abroad is recognized in Germany by contacting the Central Office for Foreign Education (ZAB) at the Secretariat of the Standing Conference of the Ministers of Education and Cultural Affairs.

Graurheindorfer Straße 157
53117 Bonn

Postfach 2240
53012 Bonn

Phone: 0228 501-664
Email: zabservicekmkorg