Applying for an ID card for an adult

Submitting an application abroad

ID card can be applied for at a self-service portal or at a foreign representation of the Republic of Estonia.

To apply for an ID card, please find a suitable Estonian foreign mission and take an identity document with you.

Browse Estonian foreign missions.

Standard ID card application procedure

When opting for the standard ID card application procedure, the card will be ready within a maximum of 30 days after the application’s arrival in Estonia and acceptance for processing. You need to allow a longer waiting period when collecting an ID card ordered from abroad, as it takes longer to transport documents to Estonian foreign missions.

Please contact the foreign mission that you indicated as your document’s pick‑up location with any questions regarding your document’s arrival and collection at the foreign mission. For foreign mission contact details, please see the website of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

Check the status of your ID card application.

Expedited ID card application procedure

It is not possible to apply for an ID card on an expedited basis from abroad.

Providing fingerprints

When applying for an ID card, you have to provide fingerprints. You do not need to provide fingerprints again if you are over 70 years old and have previously provided 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 at a foreign mission. When collecting the document, the authorized person must provide their own valid Estonian identity document along with the applicant’s existing ID card.

Applying for an ID card for the first time

When applying for an Estonian citizen’s document for the first time, an additional form has to be filled in and submitted.

When applying for an ID card for the first time, you need to provide 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 identity document
  • 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’ citizenship

Document photograph

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

Requirements and instructions regarding document photographs

Application form

Fill out the application form either by hand or using a computer.

Add your specimen signature to the application.

Confirm the accuracy of your data by adding your signature at the end of the form.

Indicate on the form the client service office or Estonian foreign mission where you wish to collect your document.

Corrections are not allowed on the application form.

ID card application form

Instructions for filling out an application form

State fee

To learn about the options to pay the state fee in person at an Estonian foreign mission, please contact the foreign mission where you will be submitting your ID card application.

Contact details of foreign missions

If you have paid the state fee before going to the foreign mission, please provide proof of this when you go to the foreign mission.

For an ID card

The state fee for an ID card is €55.

The state fee for an ID card is €10 for people who have reached the general retirement age applicable in Estonia.

People with a moderate, severe or profound disability are eligible for a discount rate and are charged a state fee of €10 for an ID card. To use the discount, please add to your application a copy of proof of disability and confirm it with your signature.

For an ID card and an Estonian passport

The state fee for an ID card and an Estonian passport is €80.

The state fee for an ID card and an Estonian passport is €25 for people who have reached the general retirement age applicable in Estonia.

People 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. To use the discount, you need to provide proof of disability.

Documents needed to apply for an ID card at a foreign mission

You need to provide the following at an Estonian foreign mission:

  • a completed application form
  • proof of payment of the state fee

Please send the digital document photo with full name and ID-code of the person depicted on the photo to the e-mail address ....

If you would like to authorize someone to collect your ID card for you, you need to fill out an authorization at the foreign mission.

If you are applying for an ID card for the first time, please provide a copy of proof of your Estonian citizenship at the foreign mission.

If you have gotten married, divorced or changed your name abroad, please provide a copy of the relevant proof at the foreign mission.

To use a discount rate on the state fee, please provide a copy of the relevant proof at the foreign mission.

Marriage, divorce 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 foreign mission.