ID Card Service

Wiscard is your official UW-Madison identification card and you obtain it at the Wiscard Office. It provides access to libraries, recreation facilities and other campus services.

Wiscard Office Hours & Contact Information
"1" How to Obtain Your Photo ID Card
"2" Faculty and Staff ID Proofing and Issuance Process
"3" New and Replacement Card Fees
"4" General Information
"5" Using Your Photo ID
"6" Suspend a Lost Card


How to Obtain Your Photo ID Card

Identification Required:  Students, faculty, and staff who need a new or replacement ID card must present some form of personal photo identification such as a valid driver's license, passport, state or federal ID.

Eligibility:

  • Students: New, continuing, or returning students may obtain an ID upon verification of enrollment by the card office staff.
  • Faculty/Staff: The Wiscard Office can make a faculty/staff ID card ONLY after the department or school has entered the employee data into the appointment system. It generally takes 1-3 business days for this authorization to appear in the ID database. 
  • If this is your first ID, the Wiscard Office recommends a faculty/staff person call 262-3258 prior to heading to the card office to ensure their information appears in the system.

Fees: Your first University ID card is issued to you at no cost.  This card is valid throughout your entire academic and/or employment career at the University of Wisconsin-Madison. A replacement card can be issued at no cost (see table below) as long as you surrender your current valid ID at the time the new card is issued.  Lost cards can be replaced for a $25 fee.  Payment can be made by cash or check.

Faculty and Staff ID Proofing and Issuance Process

UW-Madison faculty, staff members or students, may apply for a Wiscard ID, which facilitates access to various university resources. In order to qualify for a Wiscard, you will be asked to present proof of identification, in person, at the Wiscard Office, located in Union South.

Faculty and staff may be asked to present a valid government issued ID, from the following list: 
 • U.S. Passport
 • U.S. Passport Card
 • Foreign Passport
 • U.S. State or Territory Drivers License
 • Federal or State Agency ID Card
 • U.S. Military ID Card
 • U.S. Military Dependent’s ID Card
 • U.S. Coast Guard Merchant Marine Card

If you do not have one of the forms of valid government ID mentioned above, you may alternatively present two forms of ID from the following list. Please note, photocopies of ID are not acceptable.
 • High School Yearbook, with picture
 • High School Photo ID
 • UWHC Photo ID
 • Credit Card With Photo
 • UW Dorm Agreement
 • Lease Agreement
 • Social Security Card
 • Certified UW Transcript
 • Military Discharge DD2214
 • Certified Birth Certificate
 • Certified Marriage License

After providing acceptable proof of identity, your picture will be taken, and a Wiscard will be issued to you, while you are at the Wiscard Office. You will also receive an email, or alternatively, a letter, confirming the issuance of your new Wiscard. If you experience difficulty using your Wiscard to access university resources, please contact the Wiscard Office , for assistance

New and Replacement Card Fees

First Card Issued: No Charge

Replacement: No Charge, but the current valid ID card must be surrendered at the time the new card is made. Otherwise this will be considered a lost card transaction.

Reasons for a No Charge Replacement:

  • Change in status (ie. Fac/Staff to Student)
  • Name change
  • Switch from Social Security number to 900 number
  • Damaged card from "normal" wear and tear - picture, name, card number, signature, or bar code is unreadable
  • Cardholder's ID number (not card) has been reported as being inappropriately used - copy of police report provided

Replacement: Charge of $25

Reasons for a Charge Replacement:

Lost or Stolen card (Suspend a lost card)
Damaged card caused by improper care or abuse. 
Patron wants a new ID even though present card works, is in good condition, and all information is current 

Regulations

  1. Card office staff will determine if card damage is from normal wear.
    Whenever possible the University will confiscate ID cards that are no longer valid.
    A fee of $25 will be charged and can be paid by cash or check. Fees are subject to change without notice

General Information

Property of UW-Madison: The photo ID card is the property of UW-Madison, is non-transferable, and does not guarantee current university status. Fraudulent use or reproduction of a UW-Madison ID card violates Wisconsin criminal statutes and will be referred for prosecution.

Valid ID Cards: The ID card issued to an individual is valid throughout a person's entire academic or employment career at the University of Wisconsin-Madison.  If you should have a break in your education or employment do not throw away your card because the card will become active again when you return.  Only the most recent card issued to you is valid.

Lost and Found Cards: Any ID card that is found should be immediately forwarded to the Wiscard Office at Union South. Anyone looking for a lost card can call 262-3258 to see if the card has been turned in. (Suspend a lost card)

Proper Care:  To extend the life of your ID follow a few simple precautions.

  • Keep your ID in a protective cardsleeve.
  • Keep your ID out of direct sunlight and away from other heat sources such as a clothes dryer.
  • Don’t allow your ID’s magnetic stripe to be scratched by keys, change, or other objects.
  • Do not allow your ID to be used as collateral for University services.
  • Don’t punch holes in your card.
  • Don’t apply stickers.
  • Questions and Concerns:  Contact us at 262-3258 or wiscard_id@union.wisc.edu if you need additional assistance.

Using Your Photo ID

Your ID should be carried at all times and presented upon request

New or Re-Entry Students: If you are issued a card prior to the start of the term/semester in which you have enrolled, you may not be entitled to use the card until the first class day of that term/semester. Please check with the specific facility listed below if you have questions.

Issue Code: Some campus applications may request an 11-digit ID number.  This 11th digit is the issue code and the number is located in the lower left hand corner of your ID.

After you obtain a new or replacement ID, it may take a few days for your card to be recognized by various departments across campus.  The following is a list of the primary service providers along with information related to their service.  Please read this information carefully to avoid problems using your ID card.

Bus Passes:
For information on how to obtain your bus pass click here

Libraries: (files update every Tuesday night)

  • Your UW-Madison ID card must be presented to borrow materials from campus libraries.
  • Your ID card is not transferable to another user.
  • If you lose your card, you are responsible for notifying the UW-Madison Libraries of the loss. You will be held financially responsible for materials borrowed with your ID prior to you reporting its loss.

If you wish to check books out from the libraries prior to the next update the staff at the library will need to be informed of your new card number. If you received a replacement card, your issue code number will have changed and staff still will need to update their database. You can update your ID status in person, by calling the Memorial Library at 263-7360 or by email, memorialcirc@library.wisc.edu.

Recreational Facilities: (files update nightly)  If you plan to use recreational facilities prior to their update, let the staff know you have a new card. The date of issue is printed below your picture.
Please Note: Faculty & Staff – if you changed your ID card number from a Social Security number to a 900 number you must call the facility where you paid your access fee so they can update their records. [SERF 262-4976; NAT 262-8809; SHELL 263-7650; NIELSEN 262-0413]

Computer Labs: (files update within 4 days)  For access prior to the database update inform the computer lab staff that you have a new card. If you have problems gaining access to labs, please contact the HELP desk at 264-4357.

Kronos Timekeeping: If you swipe your ID card on a Kronos time clock and this is your first ID card, or you have changed from a Social Security number to a 900 series number, you will need to contact your Human Resources Office to inform them of your Photo ID number for payroll purposes. For replacement cards with no change in the 10-digit ID number, it is not necessary to notify your Human Resources Office. Remember: It is not necessary to notify your Human Resources Office unless it is your first ID or you change from a Social Security number to a 900 number.

NetID: To gain access to various campus services such as My UW-Madison, WiscMail, and WiscCal the first step is to activate your NetID –  www.mynetid.wisc.edu/activate.  If you have problems accessing any of these services, please contact the DoIT HELP desk at 264-4357.

Wiscard Accounts
Wiscard is the campus debit card program accepted at over 45 locations and it has three different types of accounts – Campus Cash, Housing Food and Union Meal. A Campus Cash account is automatically set up for all students and faculty; a Housing Food account is automatically set up for students living in University Housing. To learn more, click on the “Debit Card Program” on the side bar.

If you lose your card, you are responsible for its use until you have reported it lost or stolen via the Web site or by contacting:

Wiscard Office

Union South
Room 149
1308 W. Dayton St.
Madison, WI  53715
Phone:  608-262-3258
E-mail:   wiscard@union.wisc.edu