Personalausweis wegen Namensänderung nach Scheidung beantragen

Have you divorced and then changed your surname? Then you must apply for a new identity card if you do not have a valid passport document with the new name.

Your ID card is invalid after a name change. If you have changed your surname, for example after a divorce or the dissolution of a civil partnership, you must apply for a new ID card.
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 need to apply for a new ID card.
The EU logo introduced on the front of the ID card from August 2, 2021 does not invalidate ID cards without this logo.
The period of validity depends on your age at the time of application:

• under 24 years: ID card is valid for 6 years.
• from 24 years of age: ID card is valid for 10 years.

A temporary ID card is valid for a maximum of 3 months.
You can submit the application at your local citizens' office at your main place of residence. Applications can be made at any other citizens' office if an important reason is presented. This will incur a surcharge for lack of jurisdiction, i.e. the cost of issuing the card will increase.

• old identity card or passport (with the old name) and, if available, valid passport (with the new name)
• Divorce certificate
• Certificate of the name from the registry office
• Biometric passport photo: The photo must be
  • be up-to-date and
  • meet the requirements for photos for electronic ID cards.

The obligation to apply for an identity card applies to you if you

• have German citizenship,
• have reached the age of 16 and
• are registered in Germany,
• do not have a valid passport or temporary passport with the new name.

For applications outside your main place of residence:

• You must be able to provide an important reason why you are not applying for the ID card at the Citizens' Registration Office at your main place of residence.

• 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 submitted outside office hours or to a non-competent authority
• EUR 30.00 surcharge for issuance by consular or diplomatic representation abroad

Fee reductions or exemptions are possible for people in need. This is at the discretion of the Citizens' Office.

You can apply for an ID card at the citizens' office at your place of residence, or at your main place of residence if you have more than one residence. You can also apply for your ID card at any other citizens' office. However, you need an important reason for doing so. If you contact your chosen Citizens' Registration Office in advance, you can find out whether and to what extent the Citizens' Registration Office will accept your reason.

• You can make an appointment online, by e-mail or by telephone at many citizens' registration offices. You can find out what options your Citizens' Registration Office offers on its website, for example.
• When you apply, your Citizens' Registration Office will inform you when you can collect your ID card.
• Your ID card is produced centrally by Bundesdruckerei GmbH in Berlin.
• You can arrange a collection date online, by e-mail or by telephone at many citizens' offices. You can find out what options your local citizens' office offers on its website, for example.

It usually takes at least 2 weeks from the date of application before you can collect your ID card from the Citizens' Registration Office.

You must apply for the new ID card immediately after the name change.
Exception: You have a valid passport document, i.e. passport or temporary passport, with the new name.

• New ID card issued due to name change after divorce
• Data in the identity card must always be up to date
• A new ID card must be applied for in the event of a name change after divorce
• Exception: valid (provisional / regular) passport with new name is available
• Period of validity depends on age:
  • Persons under 24 years of age: 6 years
  • Persons aged 24 and over: 10 years
• Costs:
  • 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 submitted outside office hours or to an authority that does not have jurisdiction
  • EUR 30.00 surcharge for issuance by consular or diplomatic representation abroad
• Processing time: Collection usually possible after 2 weeks
• Responsible:
  • Identity card authority at the main place of residence
  • any other identity card authority