For people who are visiting UCSC (visiting scholars, contractors, etc.), your unit should arrange for you to receive your first ID card not long after you start your visit. While there is no direct cost to you, your new ID card will cost your unit $25.
Ordering your Card
Once you’ve established that you’re going to be visiting UCSC, and that you need access to spaces controlled by IDCS’s proximity cards, your unit should initiate the process of ordering your ID card by making the request and providing IDCS with a funding source. They can then tell you they have done so, and you can complete the process by uploading your photo to our system. You can upload your approved photo from our Photo Submission web page. Follow the instructions about how to take the photo; doing so will ensure you will receive your ID card with minimal delays.
Paying for your Card
Through the end of FY24-25, and possibly through Summer 2025, units will be able to either send in a recharge form authorizing the $25 payment for each of their visitor’s (or visitors’) new card(s) or can use the Google Sheet they’ve been using (PBSci, Humanities, SOE, etc.).
However, IDCS is developing a Google Form to replace the old recharge form, where the authorized signer of the recharge form “signs” the form by submitting it. Watch this space for a link and further explanation about the process before Fall Quarter 2025.
Picking up your ID Card
Once you’ve submitted an approved photo, or have otherwise arranged with IDCS to have your ID card(s) printed, please come by IDCS on the second floor of the Bay Tree Building during our customer service hours to pick up your ID card. If we haven’t printed it already, we can print your ID card in about 5 minutes (assuming your approved photo is uploaded and your data is all correct within the campus card database).
IDCS requires physical pick up of all ID cards. If you can’t make it to our offices, please email IDCS and let us know the name of your designated alternate, to whom we can give your ID card. They will need to 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) to pick up your ID card.
We will NOT send any ID card through Campus Mail or the USPS.
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.
Using your ID Card
Visitor cards are good for access to campus spaces. Please see here for more information.
Replacement ID Cards
How you manage your need for a replacement ID card depends on what has happened and why you need a replacement card. See our Replacement ID Cards page for details.