Your student ID card is your passport to all things Slug. Remember to choose your photo carefully. It will serve as your identity photo for the entire time you are at UC Santa Cruz and be viewed by all. You will have the quickest, most hassle-free results if you follow the guidelines outlined on this page. Scroll down the page for the link to submit your photograph.
Students, please note: Be sure to follow the instructions in the emails from Housing/Orientation/your department that list the deadlines for photo submission; you can also look at our Pickup instructions for deadline information by quarter. If you don’t meet those deadlines, you will not receive your ID card by the dates responsive to those deadlines.
Prepare your Photograph
Similar to a passport photo, your photo should be a recent photo taken straight-on against a plain white or off-white background with eyes looking directly at the camera. The photo should be taken from your shoulders up, with some blank space between the top of your head and top edge of the image. For example:
Photo Guidelines
- Scanned photos, or those generated or altered by AI, will NOT be accepted
- All photos must be in color
- Crop your photo slightly above your head to the middle of the your chest
- Take your photo against a white or off-white only background ONLY. Photos with a patterned background (like tiles, a door, a forest) will NOT be accepted
- No other people, pets, or props should be in your photo.
- You must be wearing visible clothing/shirt (so, contrasting with the background)
- Position your head directly facing the camera; do not tilt it in the frame of the photo
- Your eyes must be open and looking at the camera, and your face have a natural expression
- Have someone else take your photo. No selfies!
- No shadows should be on your face, nor should they pattern the background
- Do NOT wear sunglasses, hats, beanies, headbands, scarves, or headwear coverings in your photo, unless your religion requires you to do so
- Photos should be in .JPG format only
ID Card Services reserves the right to reject any photo submitted that we determine to be not in compliance with the guidelines listed above.
Photo Upload Instructions
- Click on this link to our photo upload page. Having read the guidelines above, click on the button labeled “I accept the terms and conditions”.
- Click the “upload” button.
- Select your photo. Only one photo should be submitted. The system will process it; if any of the guidelines are marked with a red X you might have issues with your photograph. Click “Next”.
- Users who are getting their first card should select “New Card” for your submission.
- Users who are getting a replacement card should select “Replacement Card $25” for your submission. There will be no charge until it is assessed when you pick up your replacement ID card.
Please allow 1-3 business days for photo processing. You will be notified via email when your photo has been approved or rejected.
Once your photo has been approved you can pick up your new ID card per the Pickup Instructions; you can pick up your replacement ID card at ID Card Services anytime after it is approved (during our customer service hours).
Please contact ID Card Services by email with any questions or concerns regarding the upload process.