About IDNYC

IDNYC is a card for all New Yorkers, from all backgrounds, and from all five boroughs. Your immigration status does not matter. The free, municipal identification card for New York City residents, ages 10 and up, provides access to a wide variety of services and programs offered by the City. IDNYC cardholders enjoy benefits and discounts offered by businesses and cultural institutions across the five boroughs.

IDNYC provides the peace of mind that comes from having a broadly accepted government-issued photo identification. It is a recognized ID for interacting with the New York Police Department (NYPD), gaining access to all City building that provide services to the public, qualifying for affordable housing through NYC Housing Connect, proving identity for employment, and health benefits. It can be used as your public library card, to access your own and your child's immunization records, and to open a bank account at select financial institutions.

IDNYC benefits all city residents, including the most vulnerable communities - the homeless, youth, undocument immigrants, the formerly incarcerated, and others who may have difficulty obtaining government-issued photo ID.

Launched in 2015, IDNYC is the largest and most successful municipal ID program in the country.

Getting Your IDNYC Card

You can schedule an appointment through IDNYC's Online Portal to apply for an IDNYC in person at an IDNYC Enrollment Center or an IDNYC Pop-Up Enrollment Center. During your appointment, you will fill out an application and present proof of identity and New York City residency. Many types of documents are accepted, all of which are listed on the Document Calculator. After you submit your application and if your application is approved your card will be sent to you in the mail.

The IDNYC card is free for all New Yorkers. For cardholders 16 and older, cards are valid for five years from the date the application was approved. For cardholders under the age of 16, cards are valid for two years from the date the application was approved. The application process is accessible to people with limited English proficiency and people with disabilities. The application materials and Benefits Guide are available in multiple languages.

Renewing Your IDNYC Card

Due to reduced capacities at IDNYC Enrollment Centers during the COVID-19 crisis, the renewal period for cardholders has been extended. If your card expired in 2020, you may renew your card through December 31, 2022.

If your card expires in or after 2021, you may renew your card starting 90 days before and up to one year after the expiration date on your card.

Do not delay submitting your renewal application online. Learn how to renew your card today.

Using Your IDNYC Card

Your IDNYC card is an accessible and secure document that enables you to access City services and enter City buildings that provide services to the public. In addition, the card can be presented as proof of identification for interacting with the New York City Police Department (NYPD), for employment, and to receive health benefits. It can also be used to access your own and your child's immunization records, as proof of age and residency to get the COVID-19 vaccine, to qualify for affordable housing through NYC Housing Connect, and to open a bank account at select financial institutions.

IDNYC cards can be used as library cards in the New York, Brooklyn, and Queens Public Library Systems. To use your IDNYC card at a library, ask a librarian or a library clerk at your local branch to connect your IDNYC card to your library accout or sign up for a new library account and use your IDNYC card as your library card. You will only be able to use your IDNYC card as a library card in a library system where you have an account and where you have connected your IDNYC card with your library account.

Furthermore, a number of additional benefits are available to IDNYC cardholders including the opportunity to sign up for free or reduced admission and other benefits at participating museums, zoos, and botanical gardens. Other benefits include discounts on prescription medications, fitness, groceries, and New York City attractions.

Card Features

Your IDNYC card includes a number of unique features that give all of us the opportunity to show who we are - New Yorkers.

You can select a gender marker - X, M or F - on your IDNYC that reflects how you identify or express your gender, or you can choose "Not Designated" to leave this field blank.

In the most linguistically diverse city on the planet, you can use an ID that speaks for itself. You can list up to two preferred languages on your IDNYC.

If you are a veteran, your IDNYC can include the Veteran Designation and you can receive benefits. For information about the benefits of the IDNYC Veteran Designation, visit the veteran designation page.

In case of emergencies, you can list an emergency contact and their contact information on your IDNYC.

Additionally, "IDNYC" is embossed in braille on the front of all new IDNYC cards to help cardholders who are blind or have low vision distinguish and utilize the card.

You can also show the BigAppleRx Prescription Drug Discount BIN and GRP numbers on the back of your IDNYC card at pharmacies across New York City to save up to 50% on prescription medications. Visit the health benefits page for more information.

Privacy and Confidentiality

The City protects the confidentiality of all IDNYC applicants and cardholders to the maximum extent allowable by applicable federal and state law, and in accordance with Local Law 35 of 2014. In addition, the City will not ask applicants for information about their immigration status for purposes of obtaining the card in accordance with Executive Orders 34 and 41. You can learn more about how your information will be protected by the City by visiting the privacy and confidentiality page.

Language and Disability Access

IDNYC works to ensure language spoken, limited proficiency, and disability are not barriers to accessing services.

Applications are available in 35 languages and services can be provided to applicants in their preferred language through staff at IDNYC Enrollment Centers or support on the phone.

All permanent Enrollment Centers are wheelchair accessible and have at least one accessible counter for ease of access. They are all equipped with an audio induction loop system for applicants who are hard of hearing and offer sign language interpretation for individuals who require it. See Frequently Asked Question 7 for more information on requesting sign language interpretation. Further, all centers have braille applications and can print large materials on demand. All IDNYC staff is trained to provide reasonable accommodations upon request.

Applicants who have disabilities can apply with a caretaker if they do not have a photo ID or a proof of residency document in their own name. For more information, please see Frequently Asked Question 20

For more information, please see the Frequently Asked Questions or call 311 and say "IDNYC". People who are deaf, hard of hearing, or have a speech disability can contact 311 at 212-NEW-YORK (212-638-9675) using a Video Relay Service (VRS) or at 212-504-4115 using TTY or Text Telephone.