Obtain an ID Card

ID Photos and Distribution

You must activate your UNI before you are able to upload your photo.

New students from Columbia, Barnard, and Union Theological Seminary are required to  submit a photo online via the online submission tool. When you submit a photo, your ID card will be prepared for you.

Note: All Barnard affiliates must obtain a completed ID card authorization voucher from Public Safety located at Barnard Hall before visiting the ID Center.

Review the Fall 2022 ID Card Distribution for New Students page to find your ID card pickup option based on your school or program.

Enrollment Requirement

You must be a currently enrolled student to be provided general access to the buildings on campus. If you are not enrolled, your prior privileges will be shut off after the second week of the current semester/future semester. 

If you are returning from a leave of absence or time off, you will need to obtain a new ID card after you have officially registered for your semester courses. Please visit the ID center 3-5 days after your initial registration.

Students may pick up validation stickers from the Student Service Center (210 Kent Hall) or the ID center (210 Kent Hall) for the current semester. 

Alumni/Alumnus can obtain an Alumni Reading Card from the Library Information Office in Butler Library, Room 201. Please visit the Alumni borrowing privileges website for more details. 

Alumni/Alumnus, Family Members and Spouses can obtain ID cards from 201 Butler Library.  For visiting information contact [email protected] or 212-854-7309. The ID Center does process ID cards for the above named groups.  

You Must activate your UNI before you are able to upload your photo.

New Columbia, Barnard and Union Theological Seminary affiliates are Required to upload a photo via the online submission tool. All staff and faculty may pick up ID cards from 210 Kent Hall during operational business hours.

Retirees can visit the ID Center once their retirement status has been finalized by Human Resources (please allow 2-4 weeks for processing).   

If you are a newly hired faculty or staff member who does not already have a UNI, be sure that your departmental Human Resources liaison has entered you into the DIA database before you visit the ID Center. 

New faculty and staff who have UNIs (for example, students who are hired as full-time staff) may visit the ID Center as early as their first day of work.

If you are a current faculty or staff member whose ID card has expired, there is no fee for a replacement. You will be expected to return the old ID card.

You Must activate your UNI before you are able to upload your photo.

All Contractors, Casual Workers, University Affiliates, and Visitor IDs are Required to  submit a photo online via the online submission tool. When you submit a photo,  your ID card will be ready for you during your specific orientation period. You will be notified by your school/department with the details of your ID card pick up. 

The cost for contractor, casual worker, University affiliates, and visitor IDs is $20 each, payable using one of the following methods:

  • MasterCard
  • Visa
  • University ARC chart string.

If your department will be paying via ARC chart string, please have them download this form, fill it out and add it to departmental letterhead. Bring the completed form on letterhead with you to the ID Center.