Lost Kosovo ID card? If your Kosovo identity card has been lost, stolen or damaged, you can apply for a replacement through the country’s official civil registration services.
A missing identity card can create practical difficulties when accessing government services, confirming your identity, dealing with banks or completing administrative procedures.
The Ministry of Internal Affairs provides procedures for issuing replacement identity cards, including applications following loss, theft, confiscation or damage.
However, replacing a missing card is not exactly the same as renewing an expired identity card. In particular, a police report or confirmation may be required when the document is lost or stolen.
This 2026 guide explains how to report a missing Kosovo identity card, where to apply for a replacement, what documents are generally required, the published fees and processing times, and what to do if your card disappears while you are abroad.
Kosovo ID Card Replacement: Quick Facts
| Question | Official guidance |
|---|---|
| Document | Kosovo Identity Card — Letërnjoftimi |
| Responsible authority | Ministry of Internal Affairs / Civil Registration Agency |
| Application location | Personal Documents Centres (QPD) |
| Consular applications | Available through Kosovo diplomatic and consular missions |
| Lost or stolen card | Police report or confirmation is generally required |
| Standard published fee | €10 |
| Pensioner fee | €5 |
| Standard published processing period | Within 15 days |
| Published expedited fee | €60 total |
| Expedited processing | Within 72 hours |
| Principal law | Law No. 08/L-267 on the Identity Card |
Fees and processing times above are stated on the Ministry of Internal Affairs’ published procedural page. Confirm the current tariff and service availability before applying, particularly because the main identity-card law was replaced in 2024.
1. What Should You Do If You Lose Your Kosovo ID Card?
If your Kosovo identity card disappears, start by determining whether it was simply misplaced or may have been stolen.
Search reasonable locations where you might have left the document, but do not delay taking protective action if theft or identity misuse is suspected.
Report the Loss or Theft
The Ministry of Internal Affairs’ published procedure requires a police report or confirmation for replacement applications involving lost or stolen identity cards.
Contact Kosovo Police to establish how to report the incident and obtain the appropriate document.
Explain whether the card was lost or stolen.
Do not falsely report a theft if you merely misplaced your document.
Protect Your Personal Information
An identity card contains personal information that could potentially be misused.
If the document was stolen together with a wallet, mobile phone or bank cards, take separate steps to protect the affected accounts and payment methods.
Notify your bank where relevant.
Keep a record of the date and circumstances in which the identity card disappeared.
Begin the Replacement Procedure
Once you have the necessary police documentation, contact a Personal Documents Centre to arrange the replacement application.
Official starting point: Kosovo Ministry of Internal Affairs — Identity Card Procedures
2. Which Law Governs Kosovo Identity Cards in 2026?
Kosovo’s current principal identity-card legislation is Law No. 08/L-267 on the Identity Card, published in the Official Gazette on August 12, 2024.
This legislation repealed the earlier Law No. 05/L-015.
That distinction matters when reading older information about identity-card eligibility, responsibilities and administrative procedures.
The Ministry of Internal Affairs also publishes operational application guidance referring to Administrative Instruction No. 06/2023 on Procedures for Obtaining the Identity Card.
The procedural guidance must be read together with the current legislation and any subsequent rules or administrative decisions.
If there is a difference between an older procedural explanation and a newer legal requirement, applicants should seek clarification from the competent authority.
Current principal law: Law No. 08/L-267 on the Identity Card
3. Where Can You Replace a Kosovo ID Card?
Applications are processed through Kosovo’s Personal Documents Centres, known in Albanian as:
Qendra për Pajisje me Dokumente (QPD)
The Ministry of Internal Affairs states that identity-card applications can be submitted at any QPD.
It also identifies Kosovo diplomatic and consular missions as application locations.
Applying in Kosovo
Contact an appropriate Personal Documents Centre.
Before visiting, check the centre’s current opening hours and whether the application requires any additional arrangements.
Applying from Abroad
Kosovo citizens outside the country may be able to apply through a Kosovo embassy or consulate offering the relevant service.
Contact the mission in advance to confirm its current procedures, appointment requirements, fees and document collection arrangements.
Do not assume that every overseas mission offers identical processing times.
4. Documents Needed to Replace a Lost Kosovo ID Card
For adults, the ministry’s published instructions identify several documents relevant to identity-card applications.
The documents needed depend on the circumstances.
Police Report or Confirmation
Where the identity card has been lost or stolen, the published procedure requires the original police report or confirmation, or an appropriately certified copy.
If the document was issued in a foreign language, a translation into one of Kosovo’s official languages is required under the published procedure.
Identification or Civil Status Documentation
Applicants may need an original civil-status extract or an accepted existing identity document, depending on the information held in the civil registry.
A valid Kosovo passport may assist in establishing identity where accepted by the relevant procedure.
Supporting Documents for Changed Information
If your name or other identifying details have changed, additional records may be required.
Examples include a civil-status extract or formal documentation supporting the correction or change.
Payment Confirmation
Follow the authority’s instructions regarding the applicable application fee.
Important
The precise document checklist depends on the applicant’s age, whether the identity card was lost or stolen, and whether the underlying personal details are consistent with the civil-status register.
Contact the centre before travelling if you have no remaining identity documents.
5. How to Replace a Lost Kosovo ID Card Step by Step
Step 1: Obtain the Police Documentation
Report the loss or theft using the appropriate Kosovo Police procedure.
Request the report or confirmation required for your replacement application.
If the incident occurred abroad, ask whether a police report from the foreign country is sufficient and what translation or certification is required.
Step 2: Prepare Your Supporting Documents
Gather any available Kosovo passport, civil-status extract or other accepted documentation.
Check for discrepancies in your personal information.
Step 3: Visit a Personal Documents Centre
Apply through a QPD or an eligible diplomatic or consular mission.
Adult applicants are generally required to appear personally for the application.
Step 4: Complete Identity Verification
Follow the official instructions for identity confirmation and the collection of the information necessary to issue the replacement card.
Step 5: Pay the Applicable Fee
Make the payment using the authorized method.
Keep the receipt.
Step 6: Retain Your Application Confirmation
Preserve any reference or acknowledgment supplied by the centre.
Step 7: Collect Your New Identity Card
Follow the office’s collection instructions.
The ministry describes personal collection as the normal procedure, with additional rules for certain authorized or family representatives.
Check your new card carefully when you receive it.
6. How Much Does Replacing a Kosovo ID Card Cost?
The Ministry of Internal Affairs’ published procedural guidance lists the following charges:
| Procedure | Published amount |
|---|---|
| Standard identity-card issuance | €10 |
| Pensioner procedure | €5 |
| Expedited issuance | €60 total |
The expedited amount consists of the €10 standard fee plus an additional €50.
However, these are the published figures on a ministry procedure page referencing the 2023 administrative instruction. Because the governing legislation changed in 2024, applicants should confirm the tariff in force on the application date.
Separate costs may arise from obtaining police documentation, translations or consular services where applicable.
7. How Long Does a Replacement ID Card Take?
According to the ministry’s published procedural information:
- Standard identity-card issuance takes up to 15 days from the application.
- Expedited issuance is described as taking up to 72 hours.
These are the published service periods, not guarantees for every application or mission abroad.
Delays or different arrangements may apply where identity information requires further verification.
If you have an upcoming appointment or travel plan, confirm the appropriate procedure directly with the issuing authority.
8. Can You Get an Emergency Replacement?
The ministry publishes an expedited identity-card procedure.
It also identifies certain circumstances in which expedited treatment may be available without the additional fee.
Examples listed in its guidance include qualifying urgent medical treatment abroad and certain officially approved travel or humanitarian circumstances.
Applicants must meet the relevant evidentiary and procedural conditions.
Simply having an urgent personal preference for a new card does not automatically qualify someone for a fee exemption.
Ask the Personal Documents Centre whether your particular circumstances meet the current eligibility rules.
9. Lost ID Card vs Stolen ID Card: Is the Procedure Different?
Both situations can result in a replacement application.
However, the documents and reporting circumstances may differ.
| Lost card | Stolen card |
|---|---|
| Report that the document has been lost | Report the suspected theft |
| Request the appropriate police confirmation | Obtain the appropriate theft report |
| Follow the QPD replacement procedure | Follow the QPD replacement procedure |
| Preserve the report for future clarification | Consider additional identity-theft precautions |
The ministry’s instructions distinguish particular documentary requirements for theft reports from those for other loss confirmations.
Do not assume that every photocopy is accepted.
Follow the issuing centre’s instructions concerning originals, certified copies and foreign-language reports.
10. What If Your Kosovo ID Card Is Damaged?
A damaged identity card may also need replacing.
The ministry lists damage as a separate reason for applying for a new card.
If you still possess the damaged card, keep it and present it to the authority when requested.
Do not deliberately destroy or alter the document.
Ask whether the damage affects its validity and which replacement procedure applies.
11. What If You Lose Your Kosovo ID Card Abroad?
Losing an identity document while travelling can be particularly inconvenient.
If the document is lost or stolen outside Kosovo:
- Report the incident to the competent local authority as appropriate.
- Obtain an official report or confirmation.
- Contact the nearest Kosovo embassy or consulate providing citizen services.
- Explain whether you still possess a valid passport.
- Ask about replacement, translation and document submission requirements.
- Confirm whether a separate travel document is needed.
The ministry’s procedures contemplate applications through Kosovo diplomatic and consular missions and the use of foreign police documentation translated into an official language where required.
Do You Need an Emergency Travel Document?
An identity-card replacement and an emergency or return travel document serve different purposes.
The correct option depends on your nationality, location, remaining travel documents and destination.
If you cannot travel because your identity documents are missing, seek instructions from the Kosovo mission rather than assuming the application receipt can be used for international travel.
12. What If You Lose Both Your ID Card and Passport?
If both documents disappear, identity verification may be more complicated.
Contact the police and the relevant Kosovo issuing authority or consular mission.
Provide accurate information about the incident and any supporting documentation still available.
The ministry’s published procedures describe exceptional identity-verification arrangements in situations where an applicant cannot present ordinary photographic identification.
These may involve additional evidence or witnesses under the conditions specified by the competent authority.
However, do not assume that bringing two witnesses automatically guarantees the issuance of a new card.
The procedure must be approved and completed by the responsible officials.
13. Can Someone Else Apply for You?
The ministry’s ordinary procedure requires adult applicants to appear personally when submitting an identity-card application.
It also publishes special arrangements for applicants who cannot attend the office because of certain health or institutional circumstances.
For example, the guidance describes possible applications outside the office for people who are hospitalized, immobile or otherwise covered by specified conditions.
These arrangements depend on approval and coordination with the relevant institution.
A relative cannot simply submit a routine adult application without satisfying the official rules.
14. Can a Family Member Collect Your New ID Card?
Although personal collection is the standard approach, the ministry’s procedural guidance describes circumstances in which a parent, guardian, authorized representative or qualifying close family member may collect the document.
Additional identity, representation or family-relationship evidence may be necessary.
For example, the published instructions mention documents such as a marriage certificate or family certificate to establish the relevant relationship in certain cases.
Confirm the accepted collection procedure with the issuing centre before authorizing another person to attend.
15. What If Your Personal Information Has Changed?
If your name, surname or other identifying details no longer match the civil-status database, the authority may require supporting documents.
The ministry’s published guidance identifies documents such as:
- Civil-status extracts
- Archival confirmations
- Relevant administrative decisions
- Other records explaining the change
These cases should be distinguished from ordinary replacement following a loss.
If the underlying civil-status record is incorrect, the record may need to be corrected before the identity card can be properly issued.
For related documentation, see:
How to Get a Birth Certificate in Kosovo (2026)
16. Can You Replace a Kosovo ID Card Online?
Kosovo provides many digital government services through eKosova.
However, the Ministry of Internal Affairs’ published identity-card procedure requires personal attendance for an ordinary adult application.
An online account or document download does not automatically replace the identity verification and issuance requirements of a physical identity card.
Do not assume that the entire lost-card replacement can be completed remotely.
For information about Kosovo’s digital public services, read:
17. How to Reduce Identity Misuse After Losing Your Card
If you believe someone else may possess your lost identity card, consider these precautions:
- Keep a copy of your police report.
- Notify the issuing authority through the relevant replacement procedure.
- Watch for suspicious communications concerning your personal information.
- Contact your bank if other identification or payment cards were also stolen.
- Avoid publishing photographs of your identity documents online.
- Preserve evidence of any suspected misuse.
- Report suspected fraud to the competent authority.
A replacement card does not automatically undo fraudulent activity that may already have occurred.
If you discover evidence of identity misuse, obtain appropriate legal or administrative assistance.
18. Lost Kosovo ID Card Replacement Checklist
Before visiting the issuing authority:
- Determine whether the card was lost, stolen or damaged.
- Obtain the appropriate police report or confirmation if required.
- Prepare any remaining valid identification.
- Check whether a civil-status extract is required.
- Arrange a translation for foreign police documents if necessary.
- Confirm the correct Personal Documents Centre.
- Verify current fees and processing times.
- Attend the application personally where required.
- Preserve the payment receipt and application confirmation.
- Confirm how and when the replacement will be collected.
- Check the details printed on your new card.
Frequently Asked Questions
What should I do if I lose my Kosovo ID card?
Report the loss through the appropriate police procedure and contact a Personal Documents Centre to apply for a replacement.
Where can I replace a lost Kosovo ID card?
The Ministry of Internal Affairs states that identity-card applications can be submitted through Personal Documents Centres and eligible Kosovo diplomatic or consular missions.
Do I need a police report?
The ministry’s published procedure generally requires a police report or confirmation for a lost or stolen identity card.
How much does a replacement cost?
The ministry’s published guidance lists €10 for standard issuance and €5 for pensioners. Verify the current applicable tariff when applying.
How long does replacement take?
The ministry publishes a standard processing period of up to 15 days and an expedited procedure of up to 72 hours. Actual service arrangements should be confirmed.
Can I get an emergency replacement?
An expedited procedure is available under the published guidance. Certain documented exceptional circumstances may qualify for special treatment.
What if my card was stolen?
Obtain the appropriate police report, follow the replacement procedure and consider additional precautions against identity misuse.
Can I replace my ID card abroad?
Kosovo’s published procedures permit applications through its diplomatic and consular missions. Contact the mission about current availability and supporting documentation.
What if I lose my ID card and passport together?
Contact the relevant authorities for identity verification and advice on replacement or travel documentation.
Can I apply online?
Do not assume the process can be completed entirely online. The published ordinary adult application procedure requires personal attendance.
Can someone else collect the replacement?
Certain family members or authorized representatives may collect documents under specified conditions and with the required supporting evidence.
What if I find my old card after applying?
Do not assume it remains valid. Contact the issuing authority for instructions about the recovered document and its status.
Is the old 2015 identity-card law still in force?
No. Law No. 05/L-015 was repealed by Law No. 08/L-267, published in August 2024.
Final Thoughts
Losing a Kosovo identity card can be inconvenient, but the official replacement process provides a clear starting point.
The most important steps are to obtain the required police documentation, prepare your identification records and contact an authorized Personal Documents Centre or Kosovo consular mission.
Check current fees and service periods before submitting your application, especially because identity-card legislation has been updated since some procedural guidance was published.
If your card was stolen or may have been misused, take additional steps to protect your personal information.
For official instructions, visit the Kosovo Ministry of Internal Affairs.
Continue Reading on KosovoScope
- How to Get a Birth Certificate in Kosovo
- How to Use eKosova
- How to Notarize, Translate & Legalize Documents in Kosovo
- KosovoScope Guides
Last researched: October 31, 2026. This article provides general administrative information rather than individual legal advice. Always confirm current procedures with the competent Kosovo authority.
Official Sources & References
- Official Gazette — Law No. 08/L-267 on the Identity Card
- Official Gazette — Full Text of Law No. 08/L-267
- Ministry of Internal Affairs — Identity Card Application and Collection Procedures
- Official Gazette — Administrative Instruction No. 06/2023 on Obtaining the Identity Card
- Kosovo Police — Official Website
- Kosovo Ministry of Internal Affairs
Photo Credits & Image Disclosure
The featured image is an AI-generated editorial illustration created for KosovoScope.
It depicts a fictional Kosovo identity card, a police report, a Personal Documents Centre and a digital identity card replacement application interface.
All identity documents, official-looking seals, police reports, institutional signs and digital interfaces shown in the image are illustrative representations. They are not authentic Kosovo government documents, verified public facilities or official government screenshots.
No third-party documentary photographs are used in this article.
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