La Kennkarte

Documento de identidad obligatorio del Tercer Reich

          From October 1, 1938, all German citizens over the age of 15 were required to carry a Kennkarte, the national identity card issued by the Reich police. It was obtained at local police stations for a fee of 3 Reichsmarks, with an official copy filed in the administration. Its format was DIN A6, made of linen-reinforced gray paper, including a photograph, personal data, fingerprint, signature, and official stamp.

          Although initially conceived as an administrative document, the Kennkarte quickly became an instrument of social control. For native German citizens (Reichsdeutsche), such as Dr. Henke —radiologist at the Beelitz-Heilstätten Hospital in Potsdam—, it served as standard identification for official procedures, movement control, or access to services.

          However, its design and color varied according to the ethnic origin of the holder. The Kennkarte thus reflected the regime’s policies of classification and segregation. In occupied territories and among groups considered “non-Aryan,” the document became a visual marker of exclusion. Coding of Kennkarten:

• Native Germans → Standard color (light gray or green), no markings
• J (Juden) → Jews, yellow Kennkarte
• Z (Zigeuner) → Roma, yellow Kennkarte
• G (Goralenvolk) → Polish highlander ethnic group, dark gray Kennkarte
• U (Ukrainer) → Ukrainians, blue Kennkarte
• R (Russen) → Russians, blue Kennkarte
• W (Weißrussen) → Belarusians, blue Kennkarte
• K (Kaukasier/Georgier) → Georgians, blue Kennkarte
• Dark gray → Non-Jewish Poles

          This classification determined specific restrictions: from freedom of movement to access to food or employment, making a tangible difference in daily life.