How to obtain an ID card

How to obtain an ID card

Students

If you are a new incoming Harvard student you will use  Harvard University's ID Card Photo Submission Application to submit your photo which will be printed on your Harvard University ID card and included in the University's Directory. If you ARE NOT an incoming student, you are not eligible to use this application.

If a suitable photo is successfully submitted and approved by your school's deadline, your ID card will be printed and waiting for you when you arrive on campus at your school's orientation event.   If you arrive to campus after orientations end, you will come to the Campus Service Center or Longwood ID office or HBS Operations office to get an ID card.   The Harvard University ID card provides access to housing, dining halls, libraries, athletics, Crimson Cash, and more. 

You must bring a government-issued photo ID, in order to receive your Harvard ID card. Examples of government issued ID cards are:

  • Passport.
  • Driver's license or Real ID
  • State issued ID card.
  • US Military ID card.
  • Green card.
  • Naturalization certificate.

All identifications need to include full name, date of birth, a photo, and an expiration date in the future. This validation is a Harvard University security requirement. You will not be able to pick up your ID card without this documentation.

Charges:

  • Lost card charges: There is a replacement charge for a lost photo ID card.
  • Broken card charges: There is no charge for replacement of broken cards; however, the broken card must be returned to the Campus Service Center, and we must be able to determine that it is your current card. Otherwise, we must consider it lost and subject to the same replacement charges as lost cards. Do not throw away broken cards.

For your protection, once a card is replaced, previous cards cannot be reactivated. If you find the original card and then lose the replacement, you cannot use the original card. You should bring in the original card and get another replacement

 

Harvard full time employees, extended part time, or temporary employees

  • Cambridge Area: Please go to the Campus Service Center (Smith Campus Center, Room 807). You will also be able to receive services for HU Parking, HU Housing and Notary at this location (617) 496-7827
  • Longwood Medical Area: Please go to ID office located in the School of Public Health, 77 Avenue Louis Pasteur (New Research Building or HIM building) (617) 432-0389
  • Business School: Please go to the HBS Operations Center located at Shad Hall first floor (617) 495-6814. The HBS Operations Center has a messenger service between the HBS campus and the Campus Service Center and this office will process your card replacement from start to finish if you wish.

You must bring a government-issued photo ID, in order to receive your Harvard ID card. Examples of government issued ID cards are:

  • Passport.
  • Driver's license or Real ID
  • State issued ID card.
  • US Military ID card.
  • Green card.
  • Naturalization certificate.

All identifications need to include full name, date of birth, a photo, and an expiration date in the future. This validation is a Harvard University security requirement. You will not be able to pick up your ID card without this documentation.

Harvard Faculty and staff are eligible to receive a Harvard ID Card which provides visual identification while on campus and access to various University services. You are responsible for having your ID card with you at all times while on campus and for keeping the card safe and in good condition.Employees using iris scan to access a laboratory: When you have had your ID card reissued, please contact Harvard University Police Department, (617) 495-1212 to have the iris scan issued on your new card as well.

Charges:

  • Lost card charges: There is a replacement charge for a lost photo ID card.
  • Broken card charges: There is no charge for replacement of broken cards; however, the broken card must be returned to the Campus Service Center, and we must be able to determine that it is your current card. Otherwise, we must consider it lost and subject to the same replacement charges as lost cards. Do not throw away broken cards.

For your protection, once a card is replaced, previous cards cannot be reactivated. If you find the original card and then lose the replacement, you cannot use the original card. You should bring in the original card and get another replacement

SAO Staff and Affiliates

SAO cards can only be printed at the Harvard Campus Service Center (Smith Campus Center, Room 807).

 

Harvard Sponsored Roles

You must bring a government-issued photo ID, in order to receive your Harvard ID card. Examples of government issued ID cards are:

  • Passport.
  • Driver's license or Real ID
  • State issued ID card.
  • US Military ID card.
  • Green card.
  • Naturalization certificate.

All identifications need to include full name, date of birth, a photo, and an expiration date in the future. This validation is a Harvard University security requirement. You will not be able to pick up your ID card without this documentation.

 

Charges:

  • Lost card charges: There is a replacement charge for a lost photo ID card.
  • Broken card charges: There is no charge for replacement of broken cards; however, the broken card must be returned to the Campus Service Center, and we must be able to determine that it is your current card. Otherwise, we must consider it lost and subject to the same replacement charges as lost cards. Do not throw away broken cards.

For your protection, once a card is replaced, it cannot be reactivated. If you find the original card and then lose the replacement, you cannot use it. You should bring in the original card and get another replacement.

 

Affiliation Contact

 Harvard Sponsored Roles

Contact your authorized School or Department Administrator who will start the process of creating a Harvard Sponsored Role (HSR) on the HSR portal.  Once the role is created by the Sponsor and approved by Department management, you will have an active role at the University and a card can be printed (if it is a role that requires an ID card). 

Widener Library Special Borrowers

Go to the Harvard Library Access and Borrowing Office, Widener 130. They will enter you into the HOLLIS circulation system and then send you to the Campus Service Center (Smith Campus Center, Rm 807). For more information, contact Library Access and Borrowing at (617) 495-4166.

Frances Loeb Library Special Borrowers Contact  (617) 495-9162
Countway Library Special Borrowers Contact circulation desk, (617) 432-2136
 
Faculty Club cards Contact Faculty Club Front Desk, (617) 495-5758 x0

Dining Services meal pool / conference cards

Contact Crimson Cash Office, (617) 496-6600