Citizens’ offices that set PINs, city by city
Most citizens’ offices, the Bürgeramt or Bürgerbüro, can activate the online function of your ID card or set a new PIN, but they differ on walk-in access and on which cards they handle. Your city’s offices show whether you need an appointment and whether they also take EU eID cards and electronic residence permits.
Bielefeld
Niederwall 23, Neues Rathaus, 33602 Bielefeld
Book the PIN service rather than a new card application, at the Mitte location in the new town hall.
Bring the identity card whose online function needs attention. You do not need to recover the lost PIN letter before asking for help: losing it is expressly one of the reasons for this service. If your issue concerns an electronic residence permit or a separate EU/EEA eID card, ask the city which appointment applies.
Bielefeld
Germanenstraße 22, 33647 Bielefeld
Only for people registered in Bielefeld, so book a visit to activate your online ID or set a new PIN.
Bring the identity card whose online function needs attention. You do not need to recover the lost PIN letter before asking for help: losing it is expressly one of the reasons for this service. If your issue concerns an electronic residence permit or a separate EU/EEA eID card, ask the city which appointment applies.
Bielefeld
Wefelshof 9, 33729 Bielefeld
Book a visit if you are missing your PIN letter or have forgotten your PIN, and a new one is set for you.
Bring the identity card whose online function needs attention. You do not need to recover the lost PIN letter before asking for help: losing it is expressly one of the reasons for this service. If your issue concerns an electronic residence permit or a separate EU/EEA eID card, ask the city which appointment applies.
Bielefeld
Wertherstraße 436, 33619 Bielefeld
Pick the PIN or online-function service when booking, not an application for a replacement card.
Bring the identity card whose online function needs attention. You do not need to recover the lost PIN letter before asking for help: losing it is expressly one of the reasons for this service. If your issue concerns an electronic residence permit or a separate EU/EEA eID card, ask the city which appointment applies.
Bielefeld
Nazarethweg 7, 33617 Bielefeld
Come in person for help with your PIN, as the online booking only reserves a time and resets nothing.
Bring the identity card whose online function needs attention. You do not need to recover the lost PIN letter before asking for help: losing it is expressly one of the reasons for this service. If your issue concerns an electronic residence permit or a separate EU/EEA eID card, ask the city which appointment applies.
Bielefeld
Salzufler Straße 13, 33719 Bielefeld
Get help with the card you already have, as this appointment is not for ordering a replacement.
Bring the identity card whose online function needs attention. You do not need to recover the lost PIN letter before asking for help: losing it is expressly one of the reasons for this service. If your issue concerns an electronic residence permit or a separate EU/EEA eID card, ask the city which appointment applies.
Bielefeld
Detmolder Straße 617, 33699 Bielefeld
Get your card’s switched-off online ID function turned on again and a new PIN set in one visit.
Bring the identity card whose online function needs attention. You do not need to recover the lost PIN letter before asking for help: losing it is expressly one of the reasons for this service. If your issue concerns an electronic residence permit or a separate EU/EEA eID card, ask the city which appointment applies.
Bielefeld
Amtsstraße 13, 33739 Bielefeld
This help is for the German identity card, so ask separately about a residence permit or an EU or EEA eID card.
Bring the identity card whose online function needs attention. You do not need to recover the lost PIN letter before asking for help: losing it is expressly one of the reasons for this service. If your issue concerns an electronic residence permit or a separate EU/EEA eID card, ask the city which appointment applies.
Bielefeld
Margaretenweg 29, 33611 Bielefeld
Registered Bielefeld residents can book personal help with the online ID of the card they already have.
Bring the identity card whose online function needs attention. You do not need to recover the lost PIN letter before asking for help: losing it is expressly one of the reasons for this service. If your issue concerns an electronic residence permit or a separate EU/EEA eID card, ask the city which appointment applies.
Bielefeld
Windelsbleicher Str. 242, 33659 Bielefeld
Book the PIN service for a forgotten PIN or a missing PIN letter, not a replacement card application.
Bring the identity card whose online function needs attention. You do not need to recover the lost PIN letter before asking for help: losing it is expressly one of the reasons for this service. If your issue concerns an electronic residence permit or a separate EU/EEA eID card, ask the city which appointment applies.
Bielefeld
Lindemann-Platz 3, 33689 Bielefeld
Book a visit with staff to get your online ID function working again, since no remote reset is possible.
Bring the identity card whose online function needs attention. You do not need to recover the lost PIN letter before asking for help: losing it is expressly one of the reasons for this service. If your issue concerns an electronic residence permit or a separate EU/EEA eID card, ask the city which appointment applies.
Guides
Related services
For people who cannot cover rent, food or other basic costs. See whether the Sozialamt or the Jobcenter is your starting point and how to reach them.
For freelancers, sole traders and new business owners. See how tax registration works, what the Steuernummer is for and which tax office can help.
For people who already live in Germany and move to a new home. See how to update your registered address and which office takes it.
For students, workers and family members from outside the EU. See which office handles your stay and how applications start.
For anyone moving into a home in Germany from another country. See what the registration involves and which office in your city deals with it.
For anyone who has to show where they live. See what the certificate covers and which office in your city issues it.
Other countries
Moving on, or comparing before you decide? See how this works elsewhere.
Most offices in Madrid, Córdoba, and Barcelona
Most offices in Rotterdam, Groningen, and Nieuwegein
Most offices in Warsaw, Kraków, and Bydgoszcz
Most offices in Sint-Niklaas, Ghent, and Bruges
Most offices in Reykjavík, Akureyri, and Egilsstaðir
Where to next
For anyone who cannot log in with their ID card or residence permit. See what the online ID needs and where to get it activated or reset.
Jump straight to another part of the manual.