Holiday season is approaching: apply for your identification documents in good time!

Holiday season is approaching: apply for your identification documents in good time!

In view of the upcoming holiday season, the city of Drensteinfurt has published important information regarding the processing times for ID cards and passports. According to the city administration, ID cards can take up to three weeks to process, while passports typically take six weeks. Due to the increased number of applications, there could also be longer waiting times, which is why applicants are encouraged to act early. wa.de reports that...

The application for a new ID card must be submitted at the Citizens' Office, where the applicant is required to appear in person. Signature and fingerprints must be submitted on this occasion. There are also new regulations regarding biometric photos: from May 1, 2025, these will only be possible in digital form.

New specifications for photo production

The digital photos can be taken by certified photographers or at the citizens' office. To submit an application, an identification document is required, such as an old passport or ID card. Alternatively, a birth certificate can also be presented. For children, special attention must be paid to applying on time, as children's passports are no longer issued at the Citizens' Office; instead, only ID cards or passports are possible.

The validity of documents applied for for children is six years. Documents subject to a fee will be invalid if the children cannot be clearly identified. It should also be noted that when applying for an ID card for people up to 16 years old or for a passport up to 18 years old, the consent of both parents with legal custody is required. The application itself can only be made after making an appointment in advance.

Technological innovations in ID cards

German citizens aged 16 and over are required to have a valid identity card or passport. The new electronic identity card (e-BPA) contains a contactless readable chip that stores personal data, fingerprints and photos. The e-BPA also offers an online identification function (eID function), which enables identity confirmation for online transactions. This function requires a card reader or smartphone as well as special software to ensure security.

In addition, from February 17, 2025, every applicant will be given a PIN letter with a PIN number and an unlock number. This PIN is required to use the online function, while the PUK is used to unblock the PIN after three incorrect entries. If the ID card is lost, this must be reported immediately to the ID card authority and the online ID card function can be blocked by telephone to prevent misuse.

Further information is available on the Homepage of the city of Drensteinfurt or available by phone at the Citizens' Office.