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BriefDiener
DE

Bürgeramt (citizens' office)

Personalausweis abgelaufen (ID card expired): letter from the Bürgeramt

What this letter means

German citizens aged 16 and over who are registered in Germany must have a valid Personalausweis (German ID card). The duty is also met if you have a valid passport (Reisepass). An expired ID card does not meet the duty.

A letter from the Bürgeramt about this is either a reminder or an Anhörung (hearing) in fine proceedings. You can tell from the heading and from whether a hearing form (Anhörungsbogen) is enclosed. Anyone who does not have a valid ID card commits an administrative offence (Ordnungswidrigkeit). The legal maximum fine is 3,000 euros; the authority sets the actual amount in each individual case.

For people without German citizenship, the Personalausweisgesetz (ID Card Act) does not apply. Instead, the duty to hold a passport under the Aufenthaltsgesetz (Residence Act) applies. In that case the Ausländerbehörde (immigration office) is responsible.

What to do now

  1. 1Check whether you have a valid passport; if so, you meet the duty to hold an ID.
  2. 2Book an appointment at the Bürgeramt and apply for a new Personalausweis.
  3. 3Reply to the authority in writing that you have applied, and enclose a copy of the application confirmation or of your valid passport. Write in German; the templates (Vorlagen) on this site are in German.
  4. 4If a hearing form (Anhörungsbogen) is enclosed, give your personal details; you may comment on the matter itself, but you do not have to.

How you can reply

Apply for a new ID card and send proof

This ends the violation for the future. You can give reasons for the delay in your reply, for example a long stay in hospital.

Show a valid passport

If you have a valid passport, send a copy of the page with your personal details. In that case there was no violation.

Common questions

Is a passport enough instead of a Personalausweis?

Yes. If you have a valid passport, you meet the duty to hold an ID, but you must show it when asked.

I live abroad permanently. Do I still need a valid Personalausweis?

The duty applies to Germans who are subject to the general duty to register in Germany or who mainly stay in Germany. If you have moved abroad and deregistered, you are usually not covered.

Sources (German law and official pages)

  1. § 1 Ausweispflicht; Ausweisrecht (PAuswG)
  2. § 32 Bußgeldvorschriften (PAuswG)
  3. § 55 Anhörung des Betroffenen (OWiG)
  4. § 3 Passpflicht (AufenthG)

Research as of: 10 November 2026