Obtaining or Replacing a University ID Card

Hours of Operation

Fall through Spring

Mon - Fri, 9am - 5pm

Summer

Mon - Thurs, 9am - 5pm
Fri, 9am - 1pm

Obtaining a University ID Card

Obtaining a University ID Card:

Prior to obtaining a University ID Card all students, staff, faculty, and housing affiliates are required to submit a photo online. Photos cannot be taken in person.
Picking up a University ID Card for the first time requires the recipient to show a valid U.S. ID or passport. You must present the physical identification, as we cannot accept photos of IDs on your phone or printed out.
Initial University ID Cards are issued at no charge. Students must be enrolled in one or more courses for the appropriate semester before being eligible to pick up a new University ID Card.
University ID Cards may be obtained by visiting the TC Office of Card Services located in:

Whittier Hall Suite 1B
1230 Amsterdam Avenue
New York, NY 10027

When entering the building, inform the Public Safety Officer on duty that you are here to pick up your University ID Card.
University ID Cards will be available for pickup 72 business hours after photo approval according to the following schedule:

Semester	Student University ID Cards Available Beginning On
Spring	December 1
Summer	April 1
Fall	July 1

Submit a Photo

Upload Your Photo

Incoming students, staff, faculty, and housing affiliates who have activated their UNI are required to upload their photo to the Columbia University ID Photo Submission site by clicking on the camera icon below. Photos cannot be taken in person at Card Services. The submission site now supports PCs, Macs, and smartphones; if your device has a camera, you can use it to take and submit a new photo, or you can upload an existing photo.

The photo must be passport-style and meet the below specifications:

The photo should be full color
The background should be uniform and light-colored
You must be facing forward, with only your head and shoulders clearly visible
No costumes, pets, props, or other people allowed in the photo
No photos with sunglasses or hats will be accepted

Please note that this feature is available only to new cardholders, and cannot be used to change the photo on an existing ID. If you previously had an ID, but do not have an active one now, you may use this site to replace the old photo. Children of on-campus housing residents must be at least 10 years of age in order to receive an ID card.

If you are a new student or employee and have activated your UNI, click on the below camera to upload your photo. When prompted to log in, please use your Columbia credentials (DUO authentication required), not your TC/Okta credentials, and enter your UNI in all lowercase letters. Please visit CUIT for assistance with Columbia credentials. All photo submissions are reviewed before being accepted, so please note approval time may be necessary. IDs will be available for pickup 72 business hours after photo approval according to this schedule.

Click on the camera to upload your photo

Request to Mail ID

Students, alumni, and employees may request their Teachers College ID card via mail if they reside in the United States and cannot pick up their ID in person. Identity and address verification are required, and requesters will need to send us a self-addressed stamped envelope (SASE). Please note that we cannot mail ID cards internationally.

If you would like your ID card mailed to you, please click on the link below to login to our portal, where you will see the necessary form and instructions. If you are unable to log in, please note any error messages you received and contact our office for assistance.

Residential & Card Services Portal

Replacing an ID Card

There are a variety of reasons for which ID cards need to be replaced:

Lost Cards: Please call the Office of Card Services at 212-678-3098 as soon as you realize you lost your card so that we can deactivate the card. A replacement card can be issued for a $20 fee.

Stolen Cards: Please call the Office of Card Services at 212-678-3098 as soon as you realize your card was stolen so that we can deactivate the card. If you submit a copy of a police report indicating a theft, we will replace your Teachers College card at no charge. Otherwise, there is a $20 replacement fee.

Damaged Cards: Any card that has been bent, broken, hole-punched, sat on, or that shows any noticeable signs of neglect of damage will be replaced for a $20 fee. Cards that appear to otherwise be in good condition but are unable to be read by our readers will be replaced for free.

Card Expiration Date Past: Bring your existing ID Card to the Office of Card Services before the expiring date on the front of the card for a replacement, as you must return the old card in order to receive a replacement at no charge. Otherwise, there is a $20 replacement fee.

Roles on Back of Card Have Changed: If there has been a change, addition, or deletion in the list on the back of your ID Card, please bring your existing ID Card to the Office of Card Services so that we can verify the change(s) and issue a new card. You must return the old card in order to receive a replacement at no charge. Otherwise, there is a $20 replacement fee.

Name Change: If you have changed your name or have preferred first name:

Students should contact the Office of the Registrar, 212-678-4050
Employees should contact the Office of Human Resources, 212-678-3175
Alumni should contact the Office of Alumni Relations, 212-678-3215
** New ID Cards can only be issued if the new legal name appears in BANNER and matches the government issued photo ID.

All others should bring their old ID showing their previous name and a copy of your marriage certificate, social security card, or other government identification which verifies their new name.

Obtaining or Replacing a University ID Card