How to renew your ID card: step-by-step guide

• Children under 5 years old: validity 2 years
• 5 to 30 years old: renewed every 5 years
• 30 to 70 years old: renewed every 10 years
• After the age of 70: permanent validity

You can see your ID's validity period on the bottom right-hand corner of the document.

How to make a prior appointment?

When you have ascertained that you have to renew your ID, the first step is to make a prior appointment to go through the procedure. To do this, use the website www.citapreviadnie.es/. At the bottom of the page, click on Initiate request to start the process. You will be asked for the number and letter of your identity card, and the date of validity and the issuance unit stipulated on the document. After you fill in these data, the next step is to select the document we wish to update: ID card, passport or both.

You can request an individual appointment or a multiple appointment. The multiple appointment is for initial issuances for minors or for those with dependent persons, but it may also be used as a request for adults who wish to renew at the same time, up to a maximum of three other people.

Select the province in which the renewal is to be made. Remember that in this case the Ministry of the Interior gives you two options: to select a rapid appointment or to select an issuance unit. If you need to renew your ID card as soon as possible, select the first option and choose one of the offices shown for the province. If you have time, choose the office nearest your home.

Then, you must select the date and time before moving on to the final screen to request an appointment. The last step you have to take here is to fill in the contact data: mobile number and/or e-mail where you will receive confirmation of the appointment. When you click on Confirm, you will have your appointment to renew your ID card at the location, on the date and at the time requested.

Requesting an appointment by phone

There is also an option to request the prior appointment to renew the ID card by phone. In this case you must have the old document to hand to provide the information requested via the free number 060. This is the General State Administration's single information number for the general public. We can also use this to cancel or change prior appointments.

What documentation do I have to have?

We must provide the following documentation to renew our ID card:

• Last ID card. If it has been stolen or lost, you must submit the report or notification of the incident.
• A recent colour photograph of your face on a uniform white background, 32 x 26 mm. In particular, the photo must show the entire face, you cannot wear dark glasses, and it must be taken totally bareheaded.
• If you have changed your residence with respect to your previous ID card, present the municipal registration certificate or docket from the town hall where you now live.
• If there are any changes to your family data, you must furnish the Civil Register Certificate (issued a maximum of six months before the date of the appointment).

How much is it?

The charge for the ID card is a tax that is renewed each year in the Law on General State Budgets. The amount payable for renewal in the event of expiry, loss, theft, early requests or deterioration is EUR 12. It can be paid directly during renewal, and also telematically. If you wish to make a telematic payment, you must have a digital signature certificate, and have already arranged the prior appointment. If you decide to make the payment at an office, you can only pay in cash.

Renewal of an ID card  is free for changes to address data and/or family data, and also for those who can demonstrate they are beneficiaries as members of a large family. In the latter case, you must present your current card or certificate to demonstrate this status.

Special cases for ID renewal

Those under 14 years old and the legally incapacitated

If the holder of the ID card to be renewed is under 14 years old or legally incapacitated, they must be accompanied by their guardian or a proxy. If this person cannot be present, he or she must fill in a proxy form which will be presented to the official during the appointment, since the new ID card must be delivered in the presence of the proxy.

Theft

If your document has been stolen, you must report this at the police station as soon as possible. You can also do this through the Virtual Reporting Office. This will prevent any problems relating to fraudulent use, and you will be given a provisional document which you can use to request a new ID card. The steps to be taken are the same as for an ordinary renewal, and the charge of EUR 12 is payable.

Spaniards living abroad are also obliged to renew their National Identity Card. They must follow the ordinary procedure and make the request for a prior appointment like any other citizen. In the event of a change of residence, they must present a certificate accrediting their residence, which may be requested from the consulate concerned. These people must also renew their ID card when they change their residence to Spain.

Renewing an ID card entails a number of requisites and simple steps to obtain a document which is essential for numerous proceedings with the authorities and formalisation of bank accounts, loans and contracts, and also to travel around Europe, where you do not need a passport, but you must have a current ID card.