Applying for an identity card due to name change after divorce

Your identity card becomes invalid following a change of name. If, for example, you change your surname following a divorce or the dissolution of a civil partnership, you must apply for a new identity card.

There is one exception: as long as you hold a valid travel document – that is, a passport or provisional passport – bearing your new name, applying for an identity card with your new name is optional.

If your children are also affected by the change of surname, their identity cards and passports bearing the old surname will also become invalid. For children under the age of 16, applying for a new identity card bearing the new surname is optional.

You can submit the application at your local council office in your main place of residence.

Alle Personalausweise verfügen automatisch über die Online-Ausweisfunktion. Bei ab Juli 2017 ausgestellten Personalausweisen ist diese Funktion generell aktiviert. Damit können Sie sich bei online angebotenen Dienstleistungen mit hohem Vertrauensniveau gegenüber Behörden und Unternehmen ausweisen, sobald Sie eine selbst gewählte, sechsstellige PIN gesetzt haben. Den Online-Ausweis dürfen Sie nach Ihrem 16. Geburtstag verwenden.

Wenn Sie Ihren Personalausweis beantragen, werden die Abdrücke in der Regel Ihrer beiden Zeigefinger zur Speicherung im Chip des Ausweises erhoben. Kinder unter 6 Jahren sind von dieser Regelung ausgeschlossen.

Your identity card becomes invalid following a change of name. If, for example, you change your surname following a divorce or the dissolution of a civil partnership, you must apply for a new identity card.

There is one exception: as long as you hold a valid travel document – that is, a passport or provisional passport – bearing your new name, applying for an identity card with your new name is optional.

If your children are also affected by the change of surname, their identity cards and passports bearing the old surname will also become invalid. For children under the age of 16, applying for a new identity card bearing the new surname is optional.

You can submit the application at your local council office in your main place of residence.

All identity cards automatically feature the online ID function. For identity cards issued from July 2017 onwards, this function is generally activated. This allows you to verify your identity to public authorities and businesses when using online services that require a high level of trust, once you have set a six-digit PIN of your choice. You may use the online ID card from your 16th birthday onwards.

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

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

• an old identity document, regardless of whether it is still valid or has already expired:
  • old identity card or passport
• if you do not have an old identity card or passport:
  • Birth certificate
• if available: a valid passport bearing your new name
• Divorce certificate
• Certificate of name from the Registry Office
• biometric digital passport photograph: taken on the spot at the relevant government office or by a registered domestic photography service provider, such as a photographer

• an old identity card or passport bearing your former name
• if available: a valid passport bearing your new name
• Divorce certificate
• Certificate of name from the Registry Office
• biometric digital passport photograph: taken on the spot at the relevant government office or by a registered domestic photography service provider, such as a photographer

• She took a new surname following her divorce.

• She took a new surname following her divorce.

If you wish to apply for a new identity card following a change of name, please follow these steps:

• You should make an appointment at your local citizens’ advice bureau.
  • If you apply for your identity card at an address other than your main place of residence, you must have a valid reason and will have to pay a surcharge on the fee.
• Please bring the necessary documents with you.
• You pay the fee.
• Ihre Fingerabdrücke werden bei Personen über 6 Jahren vor Ort genommen, um sie im Chip des Ausweisdokuments zu speichern.
• Sie erhalten direkt eine neue Einmal-PIN und eine PUK in einem geschlossenen Kuvert. Damit können Sie Ihre Online-Ausweisfunktion beim neu beantragten Personalausweis einsatzbereit machen, indem Sie beispielsweise zu Hause eine selbst gewählte, sechsstellige PIN setzen. Sie entscheiden selbst, wann Sie diese Option nutzen möchten.
• When you apply, your local council office will let you know when you can collect your identity card.
  • Alternativ können Sie sich das Ausweisdokument im Inland per Post an die Wohnadresse schicken und persönlich an der Haustür oder in einer Postfiliale übergeben lassen, wenn Sie 16 Jahre oder älter sind.

If you wish to apply for a new identity card following a change of name, please follow these steps:

• You should make an appointment at your local citizens’ advice bureau.
  • If you apply for your identity card at an address other than your main place of residence, you must have a valid reason and will have to pay a surcharge on the fee.
• Please bring the necessary documents with you.
• You pay the fee.
• Your fingerprints will be taken on the spot so that they can be stored on the chip in your identity document.
• You will receive a new one-off PIN straight away. You can use this to activate the online ID function on your newly applied-for identity card, for example by setting a six-digit PIN of your choice at home. You decide for yourself when you wish to use this option.
• When you apply, your local council office will let you know when you can collect your identity card.
  • Alternatively, in many cases you can have the identity document sent by post to your home address and have it handed over to you in person at your front door.

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

• Information about the identity card and the online identity card on the ‘Personalausweisportal’ website of the Federal Ministry of the Interior (BMI)
• 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
• Informationen zur Sperrung des Personalausweises bei Verlust auf dem Personalausweisportal des Bundesministeriums des Innern (BMI)

Wird Ihr Personalausweis gestohlen oder geht er Ihnen verloren, müssen Sie dies bei der Polizei oder bei einer Personalausweisbehörde, zum Beispiel beim Bürgeramt, Einwohnermeldeamt, Rathaus oder Bürgerdienste, anzeigen. Bei Verlust und Diebstahl können Sie auch selbst die Online-Funktion des Personalausweises bei der Sperrhotline telefonisch sperren lassen.

If your identity card is stolen or goes missing, you must report this to the police. In the event of loss or theft, you can also call the card blocking helpline to have the online functions of your identity card deactivated.

local identity card authority

• Declaration of authorisation to collect an identity card