Do I need a German ID card abroad?

No, it is not required to be in possession of a German ID Card abroad.

It only makes sense to have an ID card if you stay in Germany frequently or if you want to use the online identity card function. For further information regarding the online function please refer to www.personalausweisportal.de.

If you do not have a registered residence in Germany, you can choose whether the identity card should show your current foreign address or the entry “keine Hauptwohnung in Deutschland” (no main residence in Germany).

How do I apply?

• Read the information carefully.
• Compile the necessary documents.
  If you lack any of the listed documents in the original, read here about how to obtain it.
• Complete the application form.
• Book an online appointment at your German Mission.
• If a name declaration is necessary you can get two appointments on the same day.
• Bring all documents in the original plus one simple (non-certified) copy. Incomplete applications cannot be submitted.

What are the required documents?

1. Application form
2. 1 passport photo - ATTENTION: The photo must not be older than 6 months and must meet biometric specifications
3. Fee
4. Current passport and if applicable current German ID Card
5. Does your current passport show a different place of residence than your current place of residence? Please bring a deregistration letter with you if your last place of residence was in Germany or in another country that has a registration system. For the registration of the new place of residence in South Africa, proof is required, e.g. an electricity bill or a rental agreement.
6. South African ID or Visa (temporary or permanent residence permit)
7. Birth certificate (South African: unabridged/full)
   A birth certificate in which your parents are not listed cannot be accepted.
8. Proof of surname: Were you born abroad after 01.09.1986? In order to establish your surname, a German birth certificate or name certificate must be submitted. If you possess neither, read here whether a name declaration is necessary.
   Exception: Is your father is a German citizen and your mother has South African citizenship only and does she carry your father's surname? Then a name declaration is usually not necessary, instead her South African ID or passport must be presented.
9. Do you wish to carry a married name? Please submit your marriage certificate (South African: unabridged/full) and if applicable name certificate. If you do not possess a name certificate, read here whether a name declaration is necessary.
10. Proof of German Citizenship:
    Depending on various possible case constellations, you will find the required documents under the corresponding bullet point. If you yourself have a citizenship certificate, a naturalisation certificate or a letter of retention, please refer to the last bullet point.

    You were not born in South Africa (but for example in Germany)

    You have not become a South African citizen?	Proof: South African ID, not older than 10 years or valid South African visa or letter “determination of citizenship status”, recently issued by the Department of Home Affairs, confirming non-acquisition of South African citizenship
    You became a South African citizen by “automatic naturalisation”?	Proof through certificate “determination of citizenship status” issued by the Department of Home Affairs, confirming automatic naturalisation according to sec. 11A of the former South African Citizenship Act and date thereof.
    You became a South African citizen by descent?	Proof: Your South African birth certificate and South African passport/ID of your parent or letter issued by the Department of Home Affairs confirming South African citizenship by descent/birth

    You were born in South Africa AFTER 1.1.1975 AND your German parent was not born in South Africa (but for example in Germany)

    1. Birth certificate of your German parent

    2. German passport or ID of your German parent

    3. Marriage certificate of your parents (South African: unabridged/full)

    4. South African ID of your German parent stating “non-citizen”, issued after your birth or letter “determination of citizenship status” for your German parent, issued by the Department of Home Affairs after your birth or South African death certificate of your German parent, reflecting a “non-citizen” ID number or South African naturalisation certificate of your German parent (if applicable with German letter of retention) or German naturalisation certificate of your parent, issued before your birth

    Note:
    Can you present a certificate of citizenship for your parent, which was issued after your birth? Then documents under 4. will not be required.
    

    You were born IN WEDLOCK in South Africa BEFORE 1.1.1975 AND your German father was not born in South Africa (but for example in Germany)

    1. Birth certificate of your father

    2. German passport or ID of your father

    3. Marriage certificate of your parents (South African: unabridged/full)

    4. South African ID of your father stating “non-citizen”, issued after your birth or letter “determination of citizenship status” for your father, issued by the Department of Home Affairs after your birth or South African death certificate of your father indicating a “non-citizen” ID number or South African naturalisation certificate of your father (if applicable with German letter of retention) or German naturalisation certificate of your father, issued before your birth

    Note:
    Can you present a certificate of citizenship for your father, which was issued after your birth? Then documents under 4. will not be required.
    

    You were born OUT OF WEDLOCK in South Africa BEFORE 1.1.1975 AND your German mother was not born in South Africa (but for example in Germany)

    1. Birth certificate of your mother

    2. German passport or ID of your mother

    3. Marriage certificate of your parents if they got married after your birth (South African: unabridged/full)

    4. South African ID of your mother stating “non-citizen”, issued after your birth or letter “determination of citizenship status” for your mother, issued by the Department of Home Affairs after your birth or South African death certificate of your mother indicating a “non-citizen” ID number or South African naturalisation certificate of your mother (if applicable with German letter of retention) or German naturalisation certificate of your mother, issued before your birth

    Note:
    Can you present a certificate of citizenship for your mother, which was issued after your birth? Then documents under 4. will not be required.
    

    You AND your German parent were born in South Africa AND your grandfather was not born in South Africa (but for example in Germany)

    1. South African unabridged/full birth certificate of your German parent Were you born in wedlock before 1975, then only the South African unabridged/full birth certificate of your German father. Were you born out of wedlock before 1975, then only the South African unabridged/full birth certificate of your German mother.

    2. Marriage certificate of your parents (South African: unabridged/full)

    3. Birth certificate of your German grandfather

    4. German passport or ID of your German grandfather

    5. Marriage certificate of your grandparents (South African: unabridged/full)

    6. South African ID of your grandfather stating “non-citizen”, issued after the birth of your German parent or letter “determination of citizenship status” for your grandfather, issued by the Department of Home Affairs after the birth of your German parent or South African death certificate of your grandfather stating a “non-citizen” ID number or South African naturalisation certificate of your grandfather, issued after the birth of your German parent or German naturalisation certificate of your grandfather, issued before the birth of your German parent

    Note:
    Can you present a certificate of citizenship for your grandfather, which was issued after the birth of your parent? Then documents under 6. will not be required.
    Can you present a certificate of citizenship for your parent, which was issued after your birth? Then documents under 3.-6. will not be required.
    

    You AND your German parent AND your grandfather were born in South Africa AND your great grandfather was born in Germany

    1. South African unabridged/full birth certificate of your German parent Were you born in wedlock before 1975, then only the South African unabridged/full birth certificate of your German father. Were you born out of wedlock before 1975, then only the South African unabridged/full birth certificate of your German mother.

    2. Marriage certificate of your parents (South African: unabridged/full)

    3. South African unabridged/full birth certificate of your German grandfather

    4. Marriage certificate of your grandparents (South African: unabridged/full)

    5. Birth certificate of your great grandfather

    6. German passport or ID of your German great grandfather

    7. Marriage certificate of your great grandparents (South African: unabridged/full)

    8. South African ID of your great grandfather stating “non-citizen”, issued after the birth of your grandfather or letter “determination of citizenship status” for your great grandfather, issued by the Department of Home Affairs after the birth of your grandfather or South African death certificate of your great grandfather indicating “non-citizen” ID number or South African naturalisation certificate of your great grandfather, issued after the birth of your grandfather or German naturalisation certificate of your great grandfather, issued before the birth of your grandfather

    Note:
    Can you present a certificate of citizenship for your great grandfather, which was issued after the birth of your grandfather? Then documents under 8. will not be required.
    Can you present a certificate of citizenship for your grandfather, which was issued after the birth of your parent? Then documents under 5.-8. will not be required.
    Can you present a certificate of citizenship for your parent, which was issued after your birth? Then documents under 3.-8. will not be required.
    

    Your last ancestor born in Germany goes further back than your great grandfather

    All birth certificates (South African: unabridged/full) and all marriage certificates (South Africa: unabridged/full) back to the last ancestor born in Germany must be presented. For all ancestors born before 23.05.1949, only the fathers are of note.
    

    In addition, proof must be presented as to the fact that the last ancestor born in Germany did not acquire a foreign citizenship, or that he only did so after the birth of his children.

    Note:
    

    If you can present a certificate of citizenship for any of your ancestors, the case will be treated as if that ancestor was born in Germany. Check the matching case above (e.g. If a far removed ancestor was last born in Germany, but you possess a certificate of citizenship for your grandfather, then check the case “grandfather not born in South Africa (but for example in Germany)”. It will be sufficient to submit the certificate of citizenship and the documents listed there.
    

    You are in possession of a citizenship certificate, a naturalisation certificate, a certificate of acquisition of German citizenship by declaration or a retention letter

    Please present this document in the original.
    
    If you have documents that indicate the reason for your naturalisation, please also present them (e.g. naturalisation according to Article 116 II Basic Law).
    
    In case your German citizenship was acquired by declaration after 19.08.2020, it is mandatory that you submit proof of retention of your previous citizenship, in the case of South African citizenship a “Retention Letter” issued by the Department of Home Affairs. If you have not yet applied for this, please contact us.
    

Submitting the following documents of ancestors from whom you derive German citizenship may facilitate and speed up the application:

- Certificates of citizenship (even after date of validity)

- earlier German passports and/or ID cards

- “Vertriebenenausweis gem. §15 Bundesvertriebenengesetz”

- “Spätaussiedlerbescheinigung gem. §15 Bundesvertriebenengesetz”

- German naturalisation certificates

Note: Not all possible cases and scenarios can be represented here. Further documentation might be required depending on your individual case.

What happens after I submitted my application?

If all required documents are submitted, we will take your fingerprints. After your appointment, we will process your application and order the printing of your ID card.

It will take approximately 8-10 weeks for your ID Card to be produced and delivered to South Africa.

Once your ID Card has arrived at the German Mission, you will be informed by email and you will need to collect the ID Card and PIN letter in person.