Every registered student, active employee, and eligible affiliate at UC Berkeley may obtain a Cal 1 Card in person for access to key campus services and benefits.
Cal 1 Card Issuance Requirements
These are the requirements for a first-time Cal 1 Card issuance. (If you need a replacement card as a continuing registered student or employee/affiliate with an ongoing continuous employment/affiliation, please refer to Manage a Card.)
The eligible patron must:
- Be an active University member with a new or returning status (i.e. registered student or active employee / affiliate)
- Present in-person identity verification via a valid (i.e., non-expired) government-issued photo identification (e.g. driver license, state ID, passport, military ID).
Who is Eligible
- Incoming or returning currently enrolled students (i.e., undergraduate, graduate, visiting summer sessions, and extension concurrent enrollment students
- Newly hired and rehired employees (i.e. faculty, staff, academic, and postdoc) on or after their employment start date.
- Newly appointed and re-appointed affiliates (e.g. volunteers, independent contractors, visiting scholars, visiting student researchers) on or after their appointment start date) – other requirements may apply.
How You Get Your Cal 1 Card
Incoming/returning students: Most incoming or returning currently enrolled students obtain their Cal 1 Cards when they arrive on campus, either as part of the residential housing move-in process or during their respective departmental orientation/onboarding card issuance events.
Other students: The remaining incoming or returning students obtain their Cal 1 Card directly from the staff at the Cal 1 Card office.
All eligible employees and affiliates: All eligible employees and affiliates obtain their Cal 1 Card directly from the staff at the Cal 1 Card office.
Getting a Card at the Cal 1 Card Office
There are two possible ways to receive services at the Cal 1 Card Office: by joining the Virtual Kiosk line or via a scheduled appointment.
Same-Day/Walk-In Service, Virtual Kiosk Line
The advantage of the kiosk line is being able to visit the office at your convenience and not at a specific appointment time.
Appointment Scheduling with the Cal 1 Card Office (Optional)
The advantage of securing a specific appointment time slot is that you won’t have to wait a long time during peak card production periods.
- Appointments are available on a first-come-first-serve basis.
- All appointments will be for in-person services at the Cal 1 Card office at your scheduled appointment time.
- Available appointment time slots will become visible between 24 hours to 2 weeks from the date/time that a search is performed.
- During peak production periods (July through September), there may be very few (if any) available appointments.
- If the need for card issuance is urgent and you are unable to wait for the next available appointment date/time, please join the virtual kiosk line and await your turn.
There are three ways to join the virtual kiosk line or make an appointment.
If you have a laptop or handheld device:
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- Click on the following button, select “Cal 1 Card Services”, and make your choice.
Join Virtual Kiosk Line or Book an AppointmentOR
- Scan the QR code available on signage outside of the Cal 1 Card Office location, select “Cal 1 Card Services”, and make your choice.
If you do not have a laptop or handheld device:
- Use a touch-screen sign-in kiosk, located at Sproul Hall, north entrance of the first floor (look for the yellow Cal 1 Card flag) to make your choice.
- Click on the following button, select “Cal 1 Card Services”, and make your choice.
About Your Photo
You may upload your own compliant photo (preferred method) or you may have a photo taken at the Cal 1 Card office via the kiosk line or by making an in-office appointment. Note: Incoming students who would like to receive their Cal 1 Card when moving into residential housing or during their orientation/check-in date(s) must upload their photos online by the corresponding deadlines.
If you don’t have a photo that meets our guidelines, you can head over to the photo booth at the Career Center! It’s a great option for a professional shot. Check it out here:
Career Center Photo Booth
