Losing your ID card is not just an inconvenience, it can be an event with serious consequences, especially if someone misuses your ID card. For example, by taking out loans in your name, setting up an account or using it for other fraudulent activity. This article will guide you through what to do if you lose your ID, how to apply for a new ID, and most importantly, how to detect ID misuse.
Anyone can lose their ID card. The important thing is to stay calm and act quickly: report the loss, apply for a new card and check for misuse. If you suspect something is wrong, act now – the sooner the problem is dealt with, the less the consequences will be.
The procedures for loss, misuse and the issue of a new ID card are regulated by the ID Card Act.
This law provides for:
As soon as you discover that you have lost your ID card, act as quickly as possible. The law states that “a citizen of the Czech Republic who has reached the age of 15 and is a permanent resident of the Czech Republic is obliged to have an ID card.”
Your first duty is to report the loss. You can report the loss of your ID card in three ways:
Don’t wait to report the loss of your ID card and don’t put it off. The loss of your ID card should be reported immediately. Once notified, the authorities will register that the ID card is invalid. If someone finds it and wants to use it, it will no longer be recognised as a valid document. This significantly reduces the risk of its misuse.
Remember that if you do not report the loss in time, you can be fined up to CZK 10,000 for breaching your legal obligation under the ID Card Act.
If you have reported your ID card as lost or stolen and later find it again, you must hand it in as soon as possible for destruction – either to the office that issues ID cards, to the Czech embassy abroad or to the police.
If you want to keep the found ID card, you can – but you must also show it to the authorities to have it devalued (e.g. the roll punched through). However, this only applies if it is not a forged or altered document.
We can help you write and file a criminal complaint, stop fraudulent activity and protect your name and finances. Quickly, clearly and without unnecessary delays.
After reporting the loss, you have 15 days to apply for a new ID card. You will have to apply again at the local authority.
What you need to apply:
If you need an ID card quickly, you can apply for an express issue. If the issue is within 5 working days, you will pay a fee of 500 CZK. If you need a new ID card really fast, within 24 hours, then prepare a fee of CZK 1,000. These options are available at the offices of municipalities with extended jurisdiction and at the Ministry of the Interior in Prague.
Losing your ID card is unpleasant, but the real problem comes when it is misused. How do you know if this has happened?
The first step you can take is to check all your bank and non-bank accounts for unknown transactions or loans. If there are any suspicious movements, contact the institution that records the transaction.
Next, check the debtors’ register – this is the best way to detect ID misuse. Ask for an extract from these databases:
These registers will tell you if someone has entered into a contract in your name without you knowing it.
In the Citizen’s Portal, you can track various government records, such as accesses to data, changes or requests for new documents. If someone applies for a new document in your name, you’ll see it there.
Anyone who finds an identity card issued to another person shall immediately hand it over to the designated authority, the designated embassy or the police.
If you discover that your lost ID card has been misused (for example, someone has entered into a contract or borrowed money in your name), file a criminal complaint immediately. You can do so at any Police office.
When making the report, be clear about when the ID card was lost and prepare any suspicious transactions or contracts. Always keep a copy of the criminal report. If you need help with a criminal report, please do not hesitate to contact us. Anyone who intentionally misuses an ID card is guilty of an offence under the ID Act.
The next step is to contact the banks, mobile phone operators and other institutions where a contract may have been concluded using your data. Inform them of the situation and ask for an investigation.
Many institutions have an internal protocol for dealing with fraudulent behaviour and will block your accounts or transactions until everything is cleared up.
The best way to avoid problems is to prevent them. Here are some tips on how you can protect your ID card:
Don’t hesitate to contact a lawyer if things get complicated. It is better to act preventively than to deal with the consequences of fraud. Most importantly, keep an eye on your documents.
Tip: What is an ID card good for and what are the rules for issuing it?
If you lose your ID card, the key is to act quickly: report the loss immediately to the municipality, the police or electronically (if you have a data box or electronic signature). Once reported, the card is registered as invalid, which significantly reduces the risk of misuse. If you find the card later, you must surrender it for destruction or at least present it to the authorities – otherwise you can be fined up to CZK 10,000. Apply for a new licence within 15 days of reporting the loss; the fee is CZK 200, or up to CZK 1,000 for express issue. At the same time, keep an eye out for misuse – check the debtors’ register (SOLUS, BRKI, NRKI) and the Citizen’s Portal. If you find fraudulent behaviour, file a criminal complaint and contact the relevant institutions (banks, operators). Prevention is prudent handling of the card – do not let it be copied without reason, do not send a copy unprotected and check your identity regularly.
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Ondřej is the attorney who came up with the idea of providing legal services online. He's been earning his living through legal services for more than 10 years. He especially likes to help clients who may have given up hope in solving their legal issues at work, for example with real estate transfers or copyright licenses.
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