Identity card
As a German national, you must hold a valid identity card or passport from the age of 16.
Description
You must always apply for your identity card in person at the office. To do so, you will need to book an appointment at the Citizens’ Office.
Procedure and duration
- Booking an appointment and preparing Check whether you meet the eligibility criteria for applying. If so, book an appointment at a Citizens’ Advice Bureau of your choice. Gather the required documents and bring them with you to the appointment.
- Applying for an identity card at the Citizens’ Office You must attend the appointment in person; you cannot send a representative. This also applies to minors. If you are applying for an identity card for the first time, a parent must also accompany you to the appointment. A parent must also accompany you if you previously held an identity card as a child but your appearance has changed significantly.
- Choose between direct delivery or collection When applying, you can choose whether you would like to collect your identity card from the Citizens’ Office at a later date or have it sent directly by post. Collection from the Citizens’ Office is free of charge; direct delivery by post is subject to a fee.
- Check the processing status online It takes around 4 to 5 weeks for the Bundesdruckerei to issue the ID card. If you have opted for direct delivery by post, you will be notified by email of the expected delivery date. If you are collecting your identity card, you must check the processing status online. To do this, you will have received a collection slip with your identity card number at the Citizens’ Office. Enter this number into the online status enquiry. You will then be informed whether your identity card is ready for collection.
- Collecting your identity card or receiving it by post If you opted for direct delivery when you applied, the Bundesdruckerei will send your identity card to your main address. If you are collecting it in person, you can simply pop into the Citizens’ Office during opening hours. At the Ruppertstraße office, you can also book an appointment.
Requirements
- Your main place of residence is in Munich. If you are only visiting Munich and urgently need an identity card, please contact us via our contact form.
- You must be over 16 years of age. For children and young people under 16, a parent or guardian must apply for the ID card. The child in question must also be present in all cases. You can find more information on this in the FAQs.
Required documents
- Previous identity card or passport
- For first-time applications: original birth certificate, identity card or passport of the accompanying parent
- For persons under 16 years of age: identity card or passport of all persons with parental responsibility; where applicable, a declaration of consent from the absent parent
- Digital biometric passport photo You will need a DataMatrix code from a certified photo service provider or a photo taken at a photo terminal in the Citizens’ Office.
- Additional documents in cases of doubt In rare cases, further documents may be required – for example, custody orders, civil status certificates or proof of German citizenship. In such cases, you will need to submit these at a subsequent appointment.
Questions & Answers
We can issue you with a provisional identity card straight away at your appointment. The provisional identity card is valid for three months and costs an additional 10 euros.
You can apply for an identity card for children under the age of 16 if you have parental responsibility and are authorised to decide on the child’s place of residence. The child must accompany you to the appointment in all cases.
- Do you live with the other parent who has parental responsibility and the child? In that case , you can come to the appointment alone with the child and simply need to bring the declaration of consent and the other parent’s identity document.
- Do you live apart from the other parent, but both of you have custody? In that case , you can apply for the identity card provided you have the other parent’s consent. If the child is registered as having their main residence with you, you do not usually need consent.
- Do you have sole custody? In that case , you can apply for the identity card without the other parent’s consent.
Children aged 16 and over submit the application themselves. If your child has previously held an identity document on which they are clearly recognisable, you do not need to accompany them to the appointment. Otherwise, one parent must be present to confirm the child’s identity.
For people under 24, the identity card is valid for 6 years.
For people over 24, the identity card is valid for 10 years.
You will receive the identity card in credit card format with a chip. The chip contains a digital record of the personal details printed on the card, the photograph and the fingerprints.
Every identity card is equipped with the online ID function. For people aged 16 and over, this is activated automatically. When you apply, you will receive a letter containing a PIN, which you can use to log in to the AusweisApp for the first time.
People under the age of 16 cannot use the online ID function. To activate the eID function retrospectively once you turn 16, please book an appointment at the Citizens’ Office.
Once the eID function is activated, you can identify yourself digitally online – for example, with public authorities, banks or insurance companies. Further information on this can be found on the ID card portal.
If you have a visual impairment, you can obtain a transparent sticker for your identity card bearing the Braille characters ‘ad’ (for identity document). You can order the sticker from us when you apply for or collect your identity card. To obtain a sticker at a later date, please call the Citizens’ Office helpline on 089 233-96000 or send us an email at buergerbuero.kvr@muenchen.de
People with severe disabilities may, in exceptional cases, be exempted from the obligation to carry an identity card. You can find further information on this on the page regarding exemption from the obligation to carry an identity card.
Contact
Bürgerbüro Scheidplatz
Appointment
Website
Telephone
Postal address
Bürgerbüro Scheidplatz
Ruppertstraße 19
80466 München
Fax: +49 89 233-738690
Address
Belgradstraße 77
80804 München
Availability
- Available:Wheelchair access
- Not available:Disabled parking