Applying for an identity card due to name change upon marriage
After a name change, your identity card is invalid. For example, if your family name has changed after a marriage or the establishment of a civil partnership, you will need to apply for a new ID. The same applies to your children if their names also change with the marriage.
There is one exception: As long as you have a valid passport document, i.e. passport or temporary passport, with the new name, you do not have to apply for a new identity card.
The period of validity depends on your age at the time of application:
- under 24 years: Identity card is valid for 6 years.
- from 24 years: Identity card is valid for 10 years.
- A temporary identity card is valid for a maximum of 3 months.
You can submit the application to your Bürgeramt at your main residence. If you do not apply for your new identity card at your main residence, you need an important reason. In addition, a surcharge of EUR 13.00 will be charged to the fee. If you contact the Bürgeramt you have selected beforehand, you can find out whether and to what extent the Bürgeramt recognises your reason.
If you need your new identity card immediately after the marriage with name change or after establishing a civil partnership with name change, for example for a trip abroad, you can apply for your ID card with the new name at the earliest 8 weeks before the planned date of marriage or establishment of a civil partnership. As an exception, the Bürgeramt will then leave the date of issue entered as the date of the planned marriage or the establishment of the civil partnership. The new identity card may only be handed over after the marriage or after receipt of the name declaration at the competent registry office. Before handing over the identity card, the use of the name must be checked on the basis of the marriage certificate or the certified marriage register printout or the certificate of namekeeping.
When applying, the Bürgeramt draws your attention to the fact that in all cases in which the date of marriage stated at the time of application is subsequently postponed to a later date and consequently the date of issue of the identity card with the new surname is before the new marriage date, the identity card is invalid. It may not be handed over. If necessary, you will have to reapply for the identity card for a fee.
Process flow
If you marry or establish a civil partnership with a change of name, proceed as follows to apply for the new identity card:
You must apply for the identity card in person at the Bürgeramt. If you do not apply for your identity card at your main residence, you will need an important reason and a supplement will be added to the fee. If you contact the Bürgeramt you have selected beforehand, you can find out whether and to what extent the Bürgeramt recognises your reason.
- At many citizens' offices, you can make an appointment online, by e-mail or by phone. You can find out what options your Bürgeramt offers, for example, on its website.
- When applying, your citizens' registration office will inform you when you can pick up your identity card.
- Your identity card is produced centrally by Bundesdruckerei GmbH.
- At many citizens' offices, you can arrange a pick-up appointment online, by e-mail or by telephone. You can find out what options your Bürgeramt offers, for example, on its website.
- In the event of an early application, you will receive the new identity card only after the marriage or after receipt of the name declaration at the responsible registry office. Before handing over the identity card, the authority checks the use of the name on the basis of
- the marriage certificate,
- the certified marriage register printout, or
- the certificate of use of the name.
Requirements
The obligation to apply for an identity card applies to you if you:
- have German citizenship,
- have reached the age of 16,
- are registered in Germany,
- do not have a valid passport or temporary passport with the new name.
For applications outside your main residence:
- You must be able to explain an important reason why you do not apply for the identity card at the identity card authority responsible for your main residence.
- Exception: The temporary identity card cannot be applied for abroad.
Which documents are required?
- Biometrics-compatible passport photo: The photo must
- be up-to-date and
- meet the photo requirements for electronic identity cards.
- in case of early application:
- valid identity card, passport, temporary passport or temporary identity card
- when applying after marriage with change of name:
- if available: a valid passport or temporary passport with the new name
- if there is no valid passport document with the new name: marriage certificate or civil partnership certificate or certified marriage or civil partnership register extract or certificate of name
- for children under 16 years of age: if applicable, consent of the parent with custody who is not present
- in the case of only one legal guardian, the additional proof of custody
What are the fees?
- EUR 37.00 for applicants aged 24 and over
- EUR 22.80 for applicants under 24 years of age
- EUR 10.00 for the temporary identity card
- EUR 13.00 surcharge for applications outside working hours or not at the main residence
- EUR 30.00 surcharge for application at any Bürgeramt by Germans residing abroad
Fee reduction or exemption is possible for those in need. This is at the discretion of the identity card authority.
What deadlines do I have to pay attention to?
You must apply for the new identity card immediately after the marriage if there has been a change of name and you do not have a valid passport or temporary passport with the new name.
Processing duration
It usually takes at least 2 weeks from the date of application until you can pick up your identity card at the Bürgeramt.
Legal basis
Technically approved by
Lower Saxony Ministry of the Interior and Sport
Author
The text was automatically translated based on the German content.
