Abstract
The “Third Proclamation on Compulsory Identification Cards”
[3. Bekanntmachung über den
Kennkartenzwang] was issued on July 23, 1938. According to this new
regulation, Jews were obliged to apply for an identification card before
the end of the year. Starting on January 1, 1939, they were to present
this card, without being asked, whenever they visited government offices
or had dealings with authorities. In August 1938, the Reich Ministry of
the Interior issued a list of officially approved "Jewish"
forenames. According to the “Second Decree on the Execution of the Law
regarding the Changing of Surnames and Forenames”
[Zweite Verordnung zur Durchführung des
Gesetzes über die Änderung von Familiennamen und Vornamen] of
August 17, 1938, Jews whose names failed to appear on the
government-approved list had to adopt either "Israel" or
"Sara" as additional forenames. This decree also took effect
on January 1, 1939. Below is a reproduction of the front and back covers
of a compulsory identification card for Jews.