Personalausweisnummern

Personalausweisnummern are the unique identifiers assigned to holders of the German national identity card, the Personalausweis. Each issued card carries a distinct number that serves as a key reference across German administrative systems. The number helps authorities verify the holder's identity and supports various processes, including offline interactions with government offices and online services that use the card's electronic identification (eID) capability.

Format and issuance: The number is a fixed-length alphanumeric identifier printed on the card. The exact format and length are determined by the issuing authority and may vary between card generations. It is not a public identifier; it is personal data.

Legal and privacy aspects: The number is protected as personal data under German law. Access to and use of the number are restricted to official purposes; improper use can be illegal and subject to penalties. When performing online identity verification, the eID function may be used in combination with this number; any online service should require explicit user consent.

Context: In German-speaking countries similar documents have analogous identifiers; in Austria the equivalent Ausweisnummer is referred to as Ausweisnummer, while the term "Personalausweisnummer" is primarily associated with Germany. See also identity card, eID, Ausweisapp2.