Approved IDs
You must present a single approved primary form of a government-issued photo ID to receive your first U Card.
You must present a single approved primary ID OR 2 forms of approved secondary ID for a replacement U Card.
Approved Primary IDs
These ID types are accepted for new or replacement U Cards.
- US Passport
- US Passport Card
- Foreign Passport
- US State or Territory Driver’s License
- US or State Agency ID Card
- US Military ID Card
- US Military Dependent’s ID Card
- US Coast Guard Merchant Marine Card
- Tribal Card
Approved Secondary IDs
These ID types are accepted for replacement U Cards only.
- High School Photo ID
- Mail with Your Name & Address (information must match what is on file in the UMN system)
- Social Security Card
- Certified Transcript
- Certified Birth Certificate
- Sign in to MyU
Exceptions to ID requirements are unable to be made for security purposes. The U Card holder and ID must be physically present to receive their U Card. Photos of ID will not be accepted.
Card Eligibility
Students (full time & part time, graduate & undergraduate)
Undergraduate students - Full time and part time students who have enrolled in the University of Minnesota and have paid their enrollment fee are eligible for a U Card.
Graduate students – Full time and part time graduate students who have enrolled and been accepted are eligible for a U Card.
Non-enrolled and students who have graduated – If you are no longer currently enrolled or if you have graduated, you are no longer eligible for a U Card.
Transfer Students
Transfer students who have enrolled in the University of Minnesota and have paid their enrollment fee are eligible for a U Card. Transfer students who are transferring from a University of Minnesota system campus (Crookston, Duluth, Morris, Rochester) are eligible for a free University of Minnesota Twin Cities U Card.
Continuing Education Students
Continuing Education Students who are fully enrolled in at least one class are eligible for a U Card.
CIS & PSEO Students
PSEO students who are enrolled in at least one class at the University of Minnesota are eligible for a U Card.
CIS students are not eligible for a U Card.
Staff & Faculty
Staff and Faculty must be entered into the Human Resources Management System (HRMS)/PeopleSoft before they can get a U Card (this includes both paid and unpaid appointments).
Eligible appointments for a U Card include: faculty, academic staff, staff, retired faculty, retired academic staff, retired staff, and Regents.
Departments can find more information about sponsoring short-term employees under the ‘Sponsored U Cards’ page.
Affiliated Staff or Student (Sponsored Accounts)
Affiliated Academic Staff, Affiliated Staff, Affiliated Students, Visiting Students and short-term employees must be sponsored by a University department to obtain a U Card.
Please see the ‘Sponsored Accounts’ page for more information.