For undergraduate students who are new to UCSC (either freshmen or transfer students) you will receive your first ID card the first quarter you are on campus…assuming you’ve done everything you need to do. There is no direct cost to you for your first ID card.
Please note: if you don’t meet photo submission deadlines you may not receive your ID card by the dates responsive to those deadlines. Be sure to follow the instructions in the emails that list the deadlines for photo submission.
To pick up your new ID card, or get a replacement ID card, you (or your designate) MUST bring a government-issued photo ID (driver’s license, passport, passport card, state identity card, military ID, etc., so long as it is issued by a governmental entity and has your picture on it). We will not provide you a new or replacement ID card without you (or your designate) providing IDCS with a government-issued photo ID.
For first time ID cards the basic process is this:
- Once you’ve received your acceptance to UCSC, you will receive email(s) from Orientation/Housing/Summer Edge/etc. that will point you to our Photo Submission web page. Follow the instructions you find on that page and submit your approved photo by the dates given in the email. This will ensure you will receive your ID card by the start of your first quarter.
- Depending on your situation (living on or off-campus, transfer student, Summer Edge, etc.) you will pick up your ID card either at move-in, your housing office, or at ID Card Services. Again, be sure to follow the instructions you received in your email. You can also read our Pickup Instructions by quarter.
- All new ID cards for students on our lists (from Housing and the Registrar) will have the quarterly sticker for your first quarter on the ID card at the time we print and provide the ID card. For each quarter you are at UCSC you’ll need to go to your Housing Office or College Office to update to the new quarter’s sticker. Go to our Quarterly Stickers page for more information.
What you do about replacement ID cards depends on what has happened and why you need a replacement card. See our Replacement ID Cards page for details.