Obtaining digital certificates for citizens (German ID-card)

What

The eID function (eID = electronic identity) is used to identify yourself and your counterpart on the Internet and at vending machines securely and unequivocally.

Who

The ID card is issued to German nationals. Children and young people under 16 can get an ID card without the eID function.

Steps

Step 1: You have get to the nearest Bürgerbüro and ask for it.
Step2: The following documents are necessary for the application:
• valid identity document (an old ID card, if available, otherwise a passport, child identity card or child passport);
• for young people under 16 the application must be submitted by a parent or guardian and, as a rule, requires the consent of the other parent or guardian;
• current passport photograph;
It may also be necessary to present a birth certificate/certificate of parentage, for example if
• you never had an ID card or passport before or
• if data of your ID card do not match the data in the population register.
Step 3: The German National ID card is ready to be used for electronic signatures. To this end, a signature certificate can be purchased from a provider and loaded onto the ID card. You can find an overview of the providers of signature certificates on the website of the Federal Network Agency.
Step 4: The web application sign-me for the first time offers the download of signature certificates and the online signature with the ID card. To use the electronic signature with the ID card, you need a contactless deluxe reader.

Where

You can apply for the ID card at the identity card authority of your local government services office. At www.behoerdenfinder.de (in German), you will find the responsibilities of offices and authorities at your place of residence.