Identity card for a minor
Even young children need their own travel document. You can submit an electronic application for a minor online the same as for adults, but almost all minors are required to visit a police station for identification.
A visit is needed if the applicant’s previous passport or identity card was issued when they were under 12 years of age. This applies even if the applicant is still under 12 years of age. Children’s identity verification is done particularly carefully since the facial features of minors change quickly.
The chip in the personal ID card accepted as a travel document, issued on 2 August 2021 or thereafter, contains the holder’s biometric identifiers, i.e., the fingerprints and facial image. However, the fingerprints are not taken from under 12-years-olds and so their only biometric identifier is the facial image.
At a police station
The applicant must always be present: When visiting a police station, the minor applicant must be present in person even if they are just a baby.
The guardian must sometimes be present: If the applicant is under 15 years of age, they must be accompanied by at least one guardian. Minors aged 15 years or over can visit the police station independently, as long as they can present parental consent in writing and their identity can be verified.
Verifying the identity of a minor: A minor’s identity is usually verified by means of a passport or identity card. If the minor doesn’t have either, their identity will be verified in another way. If necessary, a minor can be identified through their guardian’s identification.
Consent from guardians
All guardians must give consent to the application of a minor.
Online applications: Guardians may give their consent online or submit their consent in writing to a police station. The guardian making the application gives consent on the form itself. Other guardians can reply to a request for consent by logging into the police’s online service. Guardians may also give their consent in person by visiting a police station.
Applications made at a police station: If the application is made at a police station, the guardians present may give their consent verbally. Those guardians not present must submit their consent in writing.
Download the consent form template: Guardians consent form.
If a guardian does not give their consent: Identity cards can be issued without another guardian's consent only in special circumstances, such as when it is impossible to obtain the consent of a guardian due to being abroad, ill, or otherwise unreachable.
In the absence of the guardians’ consent, only a special minor’s identity card without travel right can be issued to a minor.