Apply for a temporary identity card

The provisional identity card will allow you to bridge the gap until a regular identity card is issued.

Your temporary identity card is valid for a maximum of 3 months.

You must return the provisional identity card when you are issued with your new standard identity card.

The provisional identity card will allow you to bridge the gap until a regular identity card is issued.

Your temporary identity card is valid for a maximum of 3 months.

You must return the provisional identity card when you are issued with your new standard identity card.

• § 9 Absatz 2 Gesetz über Personalausweise und den elektronischen Identitätsnachweis (Personalausweisgesetz - PAuswG)
• Regulation on Fees for Identity Cards and eID Cards

• biometric digital passport photograph: taken on site at the relevant government office or by a registered domestic photography service provider (photographer)
• an old identity document, regardless of whether it is still valid or has already expired:
  • old identity card or passport
  • old child’s passport
• if you do not have an old identity card or passport:
  • Birth certificate
• for children under 16:
  • parents with parental responsibility:
    • a valid identity document (identity card or passport) for each parent
    • if only one parent with parental responsibility is present: a declaration of consent from the parent with parental responsibility who is not present, as well as a copy of their identity document
  • where there is only one parent with custody:
    • valid identity document (identity card or passport)
    • Proof of custody

• biometric digital passport photograph: taken on site at the relevant government office or by a registered domestic photography service provider (photographer)
• if available and not yet cancelled: old identity card or travel passport or child’s passport (valid or already expired)
• if you do not have a valid passport or identity card: birth certificate, marriage certificate where applicable
• for children under the age of 16: if necessary, a declaration of consent from the parent with custody who is not present
  • If there is only one parent or legal guardian, additional proof of custody

You can apply for a provisional identity card under the following conditions:

• You hold German citizenship
• You are registered in Germany
• You do not have a valid identity card
• You urgently need a valid identity document.

You can apply for a provisional identity card under the following conditions:

• You hold German citizenship
• You are registered in Germany
• You do not have a valid identity card
• You urgently need a valid identity document.

You must apply for the temporary identity card in person.

• Apply for the temporary identity card at the citizens' office at your main place of residence.
• If you do not apply for your temporary ID card at your main place of residence, you need an important reason. Please contact your chosen Citizens' Registration Office to find out whether they will recognise your reason.
• The Citizens’ Service Centre will usually issue you with a provisional identity card straight away.

Please note: The provisional identity card is an exception. If you wish to apply for one twice in succession, the relevant authority may refuse your application.

You must apply for the temporary identity card in person.

• Apply for the temporary identity card at the citizens' office at your main place of residence.
• If you do not apply for your temporary ID card at your main place of residence, you need an important reason. Please contact your chosen Citizens' Registration Office to find out whether they will recognise your reason.
• The Citizens’ Service Centre will usually issue you with a provisional identity card straight away.

No right of appeal is provided for in respect of this administrative decision.

• Informationen zum Personalausweis auf der Internetseite des Bundesministeriums des Innern (BMI)
• Questions and answers on the topic of ‘biometrics’ and passport photographs on the ID card portal

The following information is available:

• The provisional identity card is an exception; it is valid for a maximum of three months and is not intended to replace a regular identity card in the long term, even through successive, repeated applications. Identity cards must meet high security standards, including a storage and processing medium for the photograph and fingerprints. The provisional identity card does not have this feature.
• You can apply for both the provisional and the new, standard identity card in Germany at the same time, but you are not obliged to do so.
• You cannot apply for a provisional identity card at German diplomatic missions abroad.
• If your identity card is stolen or you lose it, you must report this to the police or an identity card issuing authority, such as the town hall or the citizens’ advice bureau.

The following information is available:

• You can apply for the provisional and the new, regular ID card in Germany at the same time.
• You cannot apply for a provisional identity card at German diplomatic missions abroad.
• If your identity card is stolen or goes missing, you must report this to the police.

local identity card authority