My Purdue ID

Your Purdue ID card sometimes referred to as your PUID card or photo ID, proclaims you as a member of the Purdue community. It provides access to a variety of services on and off campus with a one-card solution that encompasses academics, finance, access, and identification for:

  • Students (Undergraduate, Graduate, Polytechnic, Purdue Online, Visiting)
  • Faculty, Staff, and Temporary
  • Official Retirees
  • Visiting Scholars
  • University Contractors

Depending on which of the above categories you fall into, your Purdue ID card provides access through a combination of numeric, photographic, magnetic strip, and chip technology.

All incoming Purdue University students will be issued Purdue Mobile ID as their first ID— and not a physical identification card — as part of Purdue’s Mobile First Strategy.

The Purdue ID, physical or mobile, functions as your key to many facilities and services on campus, including building access, library services, meals, Dining Dollars, or Retail Dining Memberships, and Recreational Sports. (Functionality may vary depending on your location and permissions.)

The following individuals are eligible for a Purdue Mobile ID:

  • Enrolled students of the University and students attending an officially sanctioned orientation program expected to result in enrollment.
  • Faculty, staff, and visiting scholars are also eligible for a Purdue Mobile ID.

The following individuals are eligible for a physical Purdue ID Card:

  • Employees of the University employed full-time, part-time, or on a temporary basis.
  • Retired and emeritus faculty and staff, as defined by the University.
  • Individuals covered by the policy on Classes of Purdue University Appointments for Personnel Not on the University Payroll (C-12), as amended or superseded.

Your Purdue Mobile ID is your official student ID for the Purdue community, including West Lafayette, Purdue Online, Polytechnic, and Purdue in Indianapolis.

All incoming Purdue University students will be issued Purdue Mobile ID as their first ID— and not a physical identification card — as part of Purdue’s Mobile First Strategy.

After submitting your photo and receiving your approval email, you can download your ID to your mobile device. Photos must be submitted and approved to download the Purdue Mobile ID.

New faculty and staff are invited to submit their photo online and download their Purdue Mobile ID, allowing them to use mobile credentials on their phone in addition to, or instead of, their physical identification card.

Temporary staff can submit their photo online and obtain their initial Purdue ID Card at no cost by visiting the Office of the Bursar in person to pick up their new ID.

Official Retirees can obtain their updated Purdue ID Card at no cost by visiting the Office of the Bursar in person to take a new photo and have a new card printed with the status of Official Retiree. No appointment is required. Retirees must surrender their existing ID card at that time to receive their updated ID.

Retirees from the West Lafayette campus must show their official retiree letter and provide their current ID card to trade for a retiree ID card.

*Please note that ID card information is processed on a daily basis and our office requires one to three business days to receive information after it is originally submitted to the Purdue system. Our office is unable to produce ID cards before they are in our system.

Visiting Scholars are invited to submit their photo online and download their Purdue Mobile ID, allowing them to use mobile credentials on their phone in addition to, or instead of, their physical identification card. Visiting Scholars can also obtain a Purdue ID Card at no cost by visiting the Office of the Bursar in person to pick up their new ID.

Your Purdue Mobile ID is free.

A physical Purdue ID card will only be issued to students in the following situations:

  • Your mobile device is not compatible with Purdue Mobile ID.
  • You do not have a mobile device

If students need a physical ID card, to access a space that specifically needs a physical card, a $40 fee will be billed to your Banner account. Students who require a card for space access may submit a waiver request to have the fee removed. This change supports campus security and reflects our commitment to making Mobile ID the standard credential at Purdue.

Every person who receives a Purdue ID card must be aware of some basic rules. They include:

  • ID Cards are the property of the University. Any misuse, defacement, modification, alteration, tampering, or deliberate damage to an ID Card and any falsification, forgery, fraudulent or illegal use of an ID Card may be subject to appropriate disciplinary action. The University will refer suspected violations of law to appropriate law enforcement authorities.
  • A cardholder may only possess one official Purdue ID card at a time.
  • ID Cards are nontransferable. Only the individual to whom the card is issued is eligible to use the ID Card for authorized purposes. Cardholders may be subject to a fee for the replacement of a lost or stolen card.
  • Cardholders may have accounts tied to their ID Card for the purchase of goods and services at University locations. Cardholders are subject to all terms and conditions of those accounts.
  • No department, office, employee, student, or associate of the University may hold another individual’s ID Card as collateral or security.
  • The University assumes no responsibility for the misuse of an ID Card.
  • The card is subject to confiscation if found in possession of another person.
  • If found, please return the card to the ID Card Operations / Support.

Purdue University issues Identification Cards (ID Cards) to employees, students and other Associates of the University to verify their identity and manage their access to University services and facilities. This policy will be applied and administered in a manner consistent with the University’s equal opportunity programs without regard to race, religion, color, sex, age, national origin or ancestry, genetic information, marital status, parental status, sexual orientation, gender identity and expression, disability, or status as a veteran.
The ID Card is intended for use as a visual or an electronic identification, validation, and authentication credential for authorized access to services and facilities, and electronic access will be deactivated and/or invalidated upon expiration of its intended use.
The full Policy can be found here Official Identification Cards (IV.B.5)

Still have questions? Check our FAQ site