Activate ID card with online ID function

Source: BUS Rheinland-Pfalz

The online ID card enables you to complete digitally offered administrative and business services online. Online ID is made possible by a chip in your ID card, provided the online ID is activated. For citizens who were 16 years or older when they applied, this chip has been activated by default since 2017.

If you apply for a new ID card and you are 16 years or older, you can activate the online ID card yourself. You will receive the required PIN and all related information by post in your "PIN letter". You can later replace the PIN with a six-digit PIN of your choice. You can do this when you collect your ID card and later at the Citizens' Registration Office or in apps for the online ID card, such as the AusweisApp.

If the online ID function is not yet activated, you can have it activated at your local "Bürgeramt". You can also reset your PIN at your local citizens' office.

With your online ID card you can, for example:

Apply for BAföG online,
activate your SIM card online,
use the online services of Deutsche Rentenversicherung for your insurance account and
carry out identification with PostIdent via the PostIdent app.

If you were at least 16 years old when you applied for your new ID document, your online ID is usually already activated. It is ready for use when you set the six-digit PIN you have chosen yourself. To do this, proceed as follows:

After applying for a new ID card, you will receive the so-called "PIN letter" by post.
- Follow the instructions in the letter to set your self-selected, six-digit PIN for the online ID card. You can set the PIN directly at your local citizens' office when you collect your ID card or at any time using apps for the online ID card, such as the AusweisApp.

If you subsequently want to reset your PIN or apply for a new one, you can have a new PIN set free of charge at your local Citizens' Registration Office.

Activate ID card with online ID function

Process flow

Requirements

Which documents are required?

What are the fees?

What deadlines do I have to pay attention to?

Processing duration

Professionally released on

Translation note