two female students studying in an alcove

Student ID Card

Your student ID card gives you access to essential services on campus like the library, labs, athletic facilities, residences, cafeterias, and more.

Note: The photo on your student ID card will appear on instructors’ class lists, and will be used for legitimate academic purposes only.

How to get a new student ID card

  1. You must be registered for at least one course in the current (or upcoming) term. Check the Important Dates page to verify when you can start registering.
  2. If you use a Preferred First Name (a preferred first name is a name by which you are commonly known, that is not your legal name) and you would like it to appear on your McGill ID card, enter it in Minerva. You may have already done this when you applied for admission. Go to Personal Menu>Name Change and enter your preferred first name in the Preferred First Name field. You can also delete your preferred first name on Minerva if you do not want it to appear on your McGill ID card.
  3. Upload your photo using the McGill ID card photo upload tool. (Please be sure to have completed step 1 before uploading a photo)
  4. Once your photo is approved you will receive an email with instructions* on how to book your appointment to pick-up your card. Cards will not be mailed and will only be available for in-person pickup by the student, and not their designate.

➪ *Students living in residence: your ID card will be available for pickup at University Hall (3473 University), not Service Point, Monday-Friday from 9am to 4pm. No appointment necessary. Contact housing.residences [at] mcgill.ca or 514-398-6368 for questions.
➪ Continuing Education students should go to the School of Continuing Studies - please check their site for hours of operation.
➪ Faculty of Agriculture and Environmental Science students should get their cards from the Macdonald Campus Student Affairs Office - please check their site for hours of operation.

You will need to bring the following when picking up your card:

  • Your McGill ID number (provided on your acceptance letter)
  • One piece of government-issued photo ID

Important: ID cards will not be issued if any of the above documents are missing.

Lost or damaged cards

If you lose or damage your student ID card, there will be a $25 charge to replace it. If you prefer to use a more recent photo on your replacement ID card please upload a photo at least 24 hours before arriving to retrieve your replacement card.

Go to Service Point* or Macdonald Campus (Continuing Education students should go to the School of Continuing Studies), and bring the following:

  • Your McGill ID number (provided on your acceptance letter)
  • One piece of government-issued photo ID

Important: ID cards will not be issued if any of the above documents are missing.

*Students living in residence: your ID card is available for pickup at University Hall (3473 University), Monday-Friday from 9am to 4pm. No appointment necessary. Contact housing.residences [at] mcgill.ca or 514-398-6368 for questions.

Preferred first name, program changes, or expired cards

If you add a preferred first name, change degree levels or faculties, or your card expires, there will be no charge for a replacement as long as the old one is returned.

Note: Students who have access to labs or other McGill facilities using their student ID card should consult the appropriate Security contact to ensure that their access is not interrupted.

Back to top