Applying for an ID card for a child

Submitting an application at a client service office

To apply for an ID card, please choose a suitable client service office and take an identity document with you.

If you wish, you can book an appointment for applying for an ID card at a client service office.

Book an appointment at a client service office.

Standard ID card application procedure

When opting for the standard ID card application procedure, the card will be ready within a maximum of 30 after the application was accepted for processing.

Expedited ID card application procedure

All service offices accept applications for ID cards under expedited procedure, but the passport can be claimed only at Tallinn service offices.

If a child has been born before November 2011 and has not yet received an identity document, then an applications for ID card under expedited procedure are only received in Tallinn service offices.

When opting for the expedited ID card application procedure, the card will be ready in five business days. The ID card preparation period is calculated as of the next business day following the submission of the application.

While an expedited ID card application may be submitted at all client service offices, the card must be collected at a client service office located in Tallinn.

Providing fingerprints

Children 12 years of age and up will have to give fingerprints when applying for an ID-card. Fingerprints are valid for 6 years.

Check the validity of your fingerprints.

Authorization to collect an ID card

If you would like to authorize someone to collect your ID card for you, you need to decide this when submitting your application. When collecting the document, the authorized person must present their own valid Estonian identity document along with the applicant’s existing ID card.

If a parent of child more than 15 years of age wishes to claim their child’s ID card, the child must authorize their parent to do so on the spot at the service office.

Applying for an ID card for the first time

When applying for an ID card for the first time, you need to present proof of your Estonian citizenship.

You can prove your citizenship by providing one of the following documents when applying for a document for the first time:

an Estonian passport of the parent
child's birth certificate
an original document stating that a parent or grandparent of the document applicant has Estonian citizenship. You will also have to provide proof that you are related to the person in question (e.g. a birth certificate). To provide this information, please submit a query to the National Archives regarding your parents’ or grandparents’ Estonian citizenship

Document photograph

You can send your document photograph in digital format by email to ....

Requirements and instructions regarding document photographs

Taking document photographs at client service offices

All client service offices (except for Keila) are equipped with photo booths where you can take a document photograph free of charge.

Document applicants using a wheelchair are advised to take their photograph at home with someone’s assistance or to go to a photo studio, as the photo booths lack the space to accommodate wheelchairs.

State fee

For an ID card

The state fee for an ID card for a child under the age of 15 is €10.

The state fee for an ID card for a child of and over the age of 15 is €30.

Persons with a moderate, severe or profound disability are eligible for a discount rate and are charged a state fee of €7 for an ID card.

The state fee for applying for an ID card on an expedited basis is €45.

For an ID card and an Estonian passport

The state fee for Estonian citizen’s passport and ID card for a child under the age of 15 is €25.

The state fee for Estonian citizen’s passport and ID card for those 15 and over is €55.

Persons with a moderate, severe or profound disability are eligible for a discount rate and are charged a state fee of €25 for an ID card and an Estonian passport.

Paying the state fee at the client service office

You can pay the state fee at a client service office

in cash
by card
using a client computer

You may not pay the state fee using an American Express card.

Child is born abroad

If applying for an ID-card for a child born abroad, you need to provide a birth certificate.

See below for the requirements of the birth certificate issued abroad.

Child birth or name change abroad

If there is a change in personal data while you are abroad, you will have to present a document substantiating the change when applying for a document.

Document translation

If the document is not in Estonian, Russian or English, it must be translated and the translation must be made by a sworn translator or notarised.

Some foreign documents do not need to be legalised

If the country that issued the document is a party to the Convention Abolishing the Requirement of Legalisation for Foreign Public Documents, it does not need to be legalised. In this case, the public document must be certified by an apostille in accordance with the requirements.

Documents issued in these countries do not have to be legalised.

Information on legalisation of documents and apostils

For more information on legalization of documents and apostils, visit the Ministry of Foreign Affairs website.

Applying for an ID card for a ward

Only a ward’s guardian may submit an application for an ID card on behalf of the ward.

Please provide proof of guardianship at the client service office.