Immigration offices for residence card fingerprints and collection

How your city’s office invites you and hands over the card

Not every Ausländerbehörde works the same way. Some invite you for fingerprints and a photo and send a second invitation when the card is ready, while others post the card or let you collect it at a counter. The details for your city show what its office does, how to arrange the visit and what to bring, such as your passport and any letter you received.

1 office in Bielefeld
  • Bielefeld

    Kommunale Ausländerbehörde Bielefeld

    Niederwall 23, Neues Rathaus, 33602 Bielefeld

    Come in person to apply, then book a collection appointment after about four weeks, when the card is ready.

    Ask for the documents needed for the particular card appointment, including accepted photograph and identity evidence; follow the confirmation rather than another city’s checklist. Confirm readiness before travelling to collect. If expiry, essential travel or threatened job loss makes the case urgent, explain it through the city’s designated urgent-contact route with supporting evidence. The authority assesses any interim-status certificate separately.

Related services

Other everyday services in Germany

Other countries

The same task in other countries

Moving on, or comparing before you decide? See how this works elsewhere.

Where to next

Fingerprints and residence card pick-up in Germany

For people who have applied for a residence permit and now need to give fingerprints and a photo or collect the finished card. See how it works and which office to contact.

Residence card fingerprints and collection