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Get a Card

Fall / Winter Office Closure Dates
3pm on December 19
December 22 – January 2

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 two ways to join the virtual kiosk line or make an appointment.

    1.  Click on the following button and make your choice.
      Join Virtual Kiosk Line or Book an Appointment

      OR

    2. Scan the QR code available on signage outside of the Cal 1 Card Office location, go to the website, 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