Applications for ID cards can only be submitted in person by appointment during opening hours at the Embassy, the Consulate General, or at our Honorary Consuls. The ID cards are printed by the Federal Printing Office in Berlin. Please allow a processing time of up to 6 to 8 weeks.

The validity period of the ID card is 6 years for applicants under 24 years of age, and 10 years otherwise.

Applicants aged 16 and over can apply for an ID card independently without the consent of legal guardians.

Required Documents for Application:

(Documents in original form, plus one copy of each)

• Application form completed in block letters
• Old ID card (if applicable)
• Passport
• Current VEVO extract (Visa Entitlement Verification Online) – no older than 2 weeks
• Birth certificate (with translation into German or English, if applicable)
• De-registration certificate from Germany (if moving from Germany or if your German address is still listed in your document)
• Marriage certificate (for married applicants) / Extract from the family register
• Certificate of name change after marriage abroad, if applicable
• German naturalisation certificate, if applicable
• For naturalisation abroad: foreign naturalisation certificate and certificate approving the retention of German citizenship
• If applicable: Proof of other citizenships and how they were acquired
• Doctoral certificate, if you wish to have the title “Dr.” included
• Proof of address in Australia (e.g., Australian driver's license)
• 2 identical, recent biometric passport photos
• A prepaid envelope addressed to your address (available at any post office), if you would like the card to be returned by post. German missions abroad are not liable for loss or damage during postal delivery or courier services.

Please note that your application cannot be processed if the above documents are incomplete. You should therefore expect that a new appointment will be necessary if documents are missing. Please bring birth certificates, name certificates and marriage certificates with you in particular. Your application cannot be processed without these documents!

This information applies to the majority of individual cases. Due to the complexity of German passport and ID card law and the variety of possible circumstances, deviations are possible in each individual case, and further documents may be requested if necessary.