Request identity card issuance due to name change (marriage or divorce)

You want to get married?
Then you can do so at the earliest 8 weeks before the marriage
apply for the new ID card.
Bring a certificate from the registry office with you.
The certificate must state:
What is the date of the marriage?
What is your new name?

Do you have a valid passport?
And your new name is already in the passport?
Then you do not need a new identity card.

Tip:
You apply for a new ID card.
But this will take a few weeks.
And you already need an ID card during the waiting period.
Then you can also apply for a temporary ID card.
Provisional means:
The ID card is only valid for 3 months.
You will receive the temporary ID card immediately.

Your new ID card is ready.
You will then receive a letter.

You must apply for your new ID card in person at a citizens' office.

You got married

Then you must bring these documents with you:

• Your old identity card
• A certificate from the registry office about the change of your name or
• A marriage certificate or a certified copy
  from the marriage register
• a  biometric passport photo (opens in a new tab)

Click on the link.

You will then receive more information about the passport photo.

Then you must bring these documents with you:

• Your old identity card
• A certificate of the change of your name or
• A certified printout from the marriage register

with your current name or

• A certified printout from the register of births

with your current name.

A  bio-metric passport photo (opens in a new tab)

Click on the link.
You will then receive more information about the passport photo.

Do you want someone else to collect your new ID card for you?
Then you must write a power of attorney for this person.
With the power of attorney, you give the person your permission.
Use this form to do so:
 Authorization to collect ID card (opens in a new tab)

Apply for your new ID card as soon as possible.
Are you getting married?
Then you can apply for the new ID card at the earliest 8 weeks before the marriage
apply for the new ID card.
Bring a certificate from the registry office with you.
The certificate must state:
What is the date of the marriage?
What is your new name?

Are you 24 years or older?

Then the new ID card costs 37 euros.
You must pay the fee when you apply.

The rules are set out in this law: § 1 Paragraph 1 No. 2
Ordinance on Identity Card Fees

The new ID card will then cost 22.80 euros.
You must pay the fee when you apply.

The rules are set out in this law: § 1 Paragraph 1 No. 1
Ordinance on Identity Card Fees

The temporary ID card is only valid for 3 months.
The temporary ID card costs 10 euros.
You must pay the fee with the application.

The rules are set out in this law: § 1 paragraph 2
Ordinance on Identity Card Fees

These laws are important for name changes in the ID card:

• § 1 Personal Identity Card Act (PAuswG) (compulsory identification)
• § 3 Identity Card Act (PAuswG) (temporary identity card)
• § Section 6 of the Identity Card Act (PAuswG) (validity)
• § Section 7 of the Personal Identity Card Act (PAuswG) (Competence)
• § Section 8 Identity Card Act (PAuswG) (Local responsibility)
• § Section 9 of the ID Card Act (PAuswG) (Issuing of the ID card)
• § Section 27 of the ID Card Act (PAuswG) (Obligations of the ID card holder)
• § Section 1 Ordinance on ID Card Fees (PAuswGebV) (fees for ID cards)

Translated and checked by the Braunschweig Office for Easy Language © Lebenshilfe Braunschweig Images © Lebenshilfe für Menschen mit geistiger Behinderung Bremen e.V.,
Illustrator Stefan Albers, Atelier Fleetinsel, 2013