Getting an ID Card


Your role and need affect whether you get an ID card

ID Centers consider two factors to determine whether you are eligible for an ID card and what kind you can get:

  • Your role at the University: Your primary work or purpose here determines what campus services and privileges you may receive, which affects what type of card you may receive.
  • Your need for a card: If a service provider requires you to show or swipe an ID card to access their services, you may need an ID card.

Contact your campus ID Center to learn about your needs and options for University ID cards.



Most people associated with the University get ID cards
  • i-cards are for students, faculty, staff, and others with ongoing, formal University relationships.
  • Other ID cards are for visitors and others with infrequent, short, and/or less formal University relationships.

The following table lists the cards issued most frequently and the intended groups for each.

This ID card: Is generally issued to:
i-card
  • Traditional registered students
  • Faculty and staff with ongoing appointments
  • Retired faculty and staff
Visitor
  • Short-term guests
  • Community members with paid Campus Recreation membership
  • Lincoln Land Community College students and interns who live in UIS Housing
  • Persons with short-term, limited, and/or less formal official University relationships, as determined by campus policy
Extra help (Urbana and Chicago only)
  • Extra help workers whose campus unit requests a card for them to perform job duties and/or building access


Getting your ID card
  1. Visit your campus ID Center with any University ID card you already have.
  2. Show a current, government-issued photo ID from the Accepted Proofs of Identity list.
  3. Complete a Card Agreement form (PDF).
  4. Smile for your photo!

Fees may apply. Contact your ID Center for more information.



Proving your identity

Proofs of identity help safeguard your identity and the campus. To get any ID, you must present one of the forms of identification in the following list. All proofs of identity must be current, not expired, and include an identifiable photo of you.

Accepted proofs of identity

Passports and passport cards

  • U.S. passport
  • U.S. passport card
  • Foreign passport

Driver's licenses and ID cards

  • U.S. driver's license or learner's permit
  • Canadian driver's license or learner's permit
  • U.S. state or territory ID card
  • Canadian province or territory ID
  • U.S. or Canadian military ID card
  • U.S. Coast Guard Merchant Mariner Document

Citizenship and immigration documents

  • I-197 U.S. Citizen ID Card
  • I-551 Permanent Resident Card (Green Card) or Alien Registration Card
  • I-766 Employment Authorization

Consular identification

  • Matricula Consular (Mexican Consulate) card


More information