A device for locking and unlocking a door, in particular a motor vehicle door, has an electric lock and a door handle, with the transmission of query information to a portable electronic authorization ID means being initiatable via a control unit provided for the door when the door handle is operated out of the resting position in opposite directions, with the authorization ID means causing the transmission of identification information on receipt of the query information, and with the control unit comparing the identification information received with predetermined authorized identification information and, if it agrees with some of the predefined identification information, the locking of the door or its unlocking with the release of the catch is executed or canceled by controlling the electric lock. The operating reliability of the system is greatly increased with simple handling due to the fact that the door handle can be swivelled up and down about a horizontal swiveling axis in a handle recess in the door, and it can be reset automatically into the starting center position again by spring elements after the door handle is released, and electric switches can be actuated in the switch positions of the door handle, initiating the identification and the locking procedure as well as the identification and the unlocking procedure.