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Personal identity documents and applying for them

Last modified 08.09.2026 | Text by Police and Border Guard Board

The identity documents of Estonian citizens issued by Police and Border Guard Board are the ID card and passport. An ID card allows people to access public and private sector e-services and to provide digital signatures. A passport is needed for travelling.

Self-service
Query about identity documents

Here, you can see the details of the identity documents issued to you.

Make a query Query about identity documents
Query about identity documents

To view your child’s document data and photo, you need to log in to the State Portal using your child’s ID card.

You can use the self-service portal of the Police and Border Guard Board for applying for ID card and passport renewal for an adult and an ID card and passport for a minor child.

You can check your Estonian citizen’s document application status on the website of the Police and Border Guard Board.

On the website of the Police and Border Guard Board you also can check validity of your document and/or validity of your residence permit.

Identity documents issued by Police and Border Guard Board

An identity card or an ID card is a mandatory identity document of Estonian citizens and European Union citizens permanently residing in Estonia. In addition to regular identification purposes, an ID card can also be used for identification in an electronic environment and for providing digital signatures. Estonian citizens can also use the ID card as a travel document within the European Union. An ID card comes with an @eesti.ee email address that can be used by state and local government authorities and other bodies performing public duties for sending the user relevant documents and notifications (e.g. regarding the expiry of documents). As a prior step, you need to redirect your @eesti.ee address to your regular email address. To redirect the address, you need to log in to the portal and open the Mailbox settings section.

A residence permit card is a mandatory identity document of foreign nationals permanently residing in Estonia on the basis of a valid residence permit or right of residence. In addition to regular identification purposes, a residence card can also be used for identification in an electronic environment and for providing digital signatures. A residence card does not qualify as a travel document. For that, you need a passport of your country of nationality or an alien’s passport issued in Estonia.

A digital identity card (digi-ID) is analogous to the electronic part of an ID card. A digital identity card cannot be used for visual identification purposes, as it does not feature the holder’s photograph. A digi ID can only be used for identification purposes in an electronic environment and for providing digital signatures.

An e-resident’s digi-ID is a digital document that can only be used for electronic identification purposes and for providing digital signatures. An e-resident’s digi-ID can be issued to a foreign national who has relevant ties to the Estonian state or a justified interest in using the e services provided by Estonia.

A Mobile ID is analogous to a digi ID, allowing access to the same e services as an ID card or a digi ID by using the mobile phone SIM card. A Mobile ID can be used for identification purposes in an electronic environment and for providing digital signatures. When a Mobile ID user changes their name, they also need to replace their phone’s SIM card. Otherwise, signatures provided using the Mobile ID will still feature the former name.

An Estonian passport is not a mandatory document, but it is necessary for travelling outside the European Union. People at least 15 years of age are issued a passport valid for 10 years. The passports of children under the age of 15 are valid for five years and the passport application is submitted by the child’s parents.

Non nationals are required to have an alien’s passport, which is issued to foreign nationals with a valid Estonian residence permit if it is established that they do not hold a travel document of a foreign country and are unable to acquire one.

For more information on how to apply for other identity documents, see the section „Documents and permits“ on the website of the Police and Border Guard Board.

Applying for an ID card

You will have to be fingerprinted when applying for an ID card. If more than 6 years have passed since the last fingerprinting, the procedure has to be repeated. This can be done at service offices (except Keila) in a self service booth, where you can also provide your specimen signature and take your photo if needed. You can then conveniently proceed to submitting your application using the self service portal.

You can apply for an ID card in one of the following ways:

  • Using the self-service portal of Police and Border Guard Board (ID card renewals for adults and an ID cards for minor children)
  • At the service offices of the Police and Border Guard Board. You can fill out your application and pay the state fee at the client service office. All service offices are also equipped with self service booths where you can take your document photograph and provide your specimen signature. Digital photographs taken at a photography studio should be emailed to [email protected]. The requirements for document photographs are available on the website of the Police and Border Guard Board.
  • At [diplomatic missions of the Republic of Estonia]https://www.politsei.ee/en/instructions/applying-for-an-id-card-for-an-adult/submitting-an-application-abroad).

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

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

If you have submitted your application using the self service portal, you can collect your document either at a service office, an Estonian embassy or at an honorary consul’s office.

You can apply for a fast track ID card at all service offices and using the self service portal. If you have not been issued an identity document before, the fast track ID card option is not available.

A fast track ID card will be ready in two business days as of the first business day following the submission of the application. Fast track documents can only be collected at client service offices located in Tallinn.

When applying for an ID card, you need to submit the following:

  • an identity document;
  • when applying for an ID card for the first time, you need to present proof of your Estonian citizenship along with copies of the documents in question;
  • digital colour photograph not older than 6 months. The specific photograph requirements are available on the website of the Police and Border Guard Board;
  • • proof of payment of the state feeor state fee payment details. NB When applying for an ID card in the e application environment, please pay the state fee using the same service. See the website of the Police and Border Guard Board for state fee rates.

Additional documents:

  • If you have never been issued an identity document of an Estonian citizen, you need to submit proof of your Estonian citizenship. To that end, you can submit, along with your first time application, an Estonian passport or a document original 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). You can submit a query to the National Archives regarding your parents’ or grandparents’ Estonian citizenship.
  • If you have changed your personal data (e.g. your name) in a foreign country and the changes have not been entered in the Estonian population register, please submit proof of the change of personal data (e.g. a marriage certificate). For more information on requirements regarding foreign documents, see the website of the Police and Border Guard Board.

For more information on how to apply for an ID card for a child, see the website of the Police and Border Guard Board.

The most convenient way for the guardian to apply for an ID card for a ward is by submitting the application at the self-service portal of the Police and Border Guard Board.

The Police and Border Guard Board advises people with impaired mobility to apply for an ID card by post or email. Where necessary, an authorized representative of the head of a rural municipality government, city government or social welfare institution may submit an ID card application on behalf of an immobile person.

For more information on applying for an ID card for an adult, see the website of the Police and Border Guard Board.

Applying for a passport

You will have to be fingerprinted when applying for a passport. If more than 6 years have passed since the last fingerprinting, the procedure has to be repeated. This can be done at all service offices in a self service booth, where you can also provide your specimen signature and take your photo if needed. You can then conveniently proceed to submitting your application using the self service portal.

You can apply for a passport in one of the following ways:

  • Using the self-service portal of the Police and Border Guard Board (passport renewals for an adults and passports for a minor children)
  • At the service offices of the Police and Border Guard Board. An employee prepares the application form and captures your fingerprints at the service office.
  • At diplomatic missions of the Republic of Estonia. Please submit the necessary documentation for a passport application at the diplomatic mission (with the application form already filled out). An employee of the diplomatic mission will capture your fingerprints.

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

When opting for the standard passport application procedure, the passport will be ready within a maximum of 30 days after accepting the application for processing.

If you have submitted your application using the self service portal, you can collect your document either at a service office, an Estonian embassy or at an honorary consul’s office.

You can apply for a fast track passport at all service offices and using the self service portal. If you have not been issued an identity document before, the fast track passport option is not available.

A fast track passport will be ready within a maximum of one business day as of the first business day following the submission of the application. Fast track documents can only be collected at client service offices located in Tallinn.

When applying for a passport, you need to submit the following:

Additional documents:

  • If you have never been issued an Estonian passport, you need to submit proof of your Estonian citizenship.
  • If you have changed your personal data (e.g. your name) in a foreign country and the changes have not been entered in the Estonian population register, please submit proof of the change of personal data (e.g. a marriage certificate). For more information on requirements regarding foreign documents, see the website of the Police and Border Guard Board.
  • If you are applying for an additional passport, please submit a letter of explanation of the need for an additional passport or other relevant proof (e.g. a statement by your employer).

For more information on how to apply for a passport for a child, see the website of the Police and Border Guard Board.

When applying for a passport for a ward, only the ward’s guardian may submit the application on behalf of the ward. If the details of the guardianship have not been entered in the population register, the guardian needs to provide proof of guardianship at the service office. When applying for a ward’s passport, the ward is fingerprinted.

For more information on applying for a passport for an adult, see the website of the Police and Border Guard Board.

Applying for a passport and ID card together

You may also apply for an ID card and a passport together at the service offices and using the self service portal, in which case you will get a discount on the state fee. See the website of the Police and Border Guard Board for state fee rates.

How much is the state fee?

The state fees for issuing identity documents vary according to document type and speed of processing – depending on whether you opt for the fast track or regular procedure option. See the following links for more information:

See the website of the Police and Border Guard Board for information on applying for a Mobile ID.

For more information on state fee payment options, see the website of the Police and Border Guard Board.

If your document is lost or stolen

If your passport has become unfit for use or if it is lost or stolen, please go to the nearest Police and Border Guard Board service office as soon possible to have the document revoked and to submit an application for a new document if necessary. If you apply for a new document and state the reason for applying as lost, destroyed or stolen, your document is revoked automatically based on your application and you do not need to submit a separate application for revoking your document.

If your ID card / residence card / digi-ID is lost or stolen, please call the helpline: +372 600 1247, or go to the nearest Police and Border Guard Board service office. Upon your request, the certificates of your card will be suspended. Thereafter, it is no longer possible to use the card electronically (e.g. for digital signing). In order to have your ID card revoked, you need to submit an application at a Police and Border Guard Board service office. If you apply for a new document and state the reason for applying as lost, destroyed or stolen, your document is revoked automatically based on your application and you do not need to submit a separate application for revoking your document.

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