FAQ’s

The Purdue University Identification (PUID) is a 10-digit number unique to each individual that is designed to:

• Correctly and consistently establish an individual’s distinct identity for University business.

• Have value only in the Purdue University system.
• Serve as one piece of identification. In addition, other means of authentication, such as a PIN, date of birth or other information may be required.

• Allow an individual to access information or services when used with additional information.

• Remain the same even when an individual’s relationship with Purdue changes over time.

Mobile Credentials are available 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 our system. Our office is unable to produce ID cards before they are in our system.

Any informational or processing errors — such as an incorrect spelling, PUID number or card type — must be corrected within the source system. Students refer to The Office of the Registrar, Employees refer to their Business Office. *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 was originally submitted to our system. Our office is unable to produce ID cards before they are in our system.

Students that have a name or ID number that has changed, you will need to go to the Registrar’s Office in Stewart Center. After changing your name at the registrar, please bring your current ID card to the ID Card Operations in Stewart Center. If you do not have your current card or if the ID rules (see above) were not followed, you will be charged a fee to replace the card. If the current ID card is turned in and the ID rules were followed, the card will be replaced free of charge. 

Faculty/Staff with name changes will need to report the change to their Business Office. Once the Business Office completes the change in the source system, the ID Card Operations will be able to print the staff a new ID card.

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, Retail Dining Memberships, and Recreational Sports.  (Functionality may vary depending on your location and permissions.)

This card is your official University ID and should be carried at all times. It’s the property of Purdue University and the policies and procedures of the University govern its use.

The Purdue ID card is a photo card and is to be used only by the person to whom it is issued. It is not to be loaned to any other person for use and is subject to confiscation if found in the possession of another person.
DO NOT mutilate the card, punch holes in it or change any of the information on the ID. Any of these misuses will result in a fee to replace the ID.
This card is NOT TRANSFERABLE.

The University is not responsible for any loss or expenses resulting from the loss, theft or misuse of this card.

If found, please return the card to the ID Card Operations.

Employees:
Return their Purdue ID Card to their departments.

Departments:
Return all Purdue ID Cards to the ID Card Operations in Stewart Center. Please include a note with the card as to why it is being returned.

Contact the ID Card Operations at 765-494-7570 or email askbursar@purdue.edu. Business hours are Monday-Friday from 8am-5pm.

Please visit the Photo Submission tab at the top of the screen.

Individuals with an active career account, 2-Factor authentication and PUID number who do not have a current photo on file.

A recent, color photo of yourself, without filters.
Photo must be straight-on and eyes looking directly at the camera (no profile or angled pictures). Feel free to smile!
This picture is for identification purposes. The picture must clearly identify your person. No sunglasses, camera flash reflections, red-eye, lens flares, filters, animals, props, additional persons and jewelry or garments that obstruct a clear view of the face.
No hats or other head articles that obstruct your face or hair except for religious or medical purposes.
The photo must be from the top of shoulders to top of head with some blank space above the head and top edge of the photo (similar to a passport photo).
JPEG, PNG or GIF format only with a resolution between 500×500 and 4000×4000 pixels. This ensures your photo is of high quality and can be easily processed for the Purdue ID.
All photos are subject to approval.

No. The application will automatically notify our office that a photo has been received. All communications regarding the status of your Purdue ID will be sent to your Purdue email account. Check there to verify the status of your Purdue ID.

All communications regarding the status of your Purdue ID will be sent to your Purdue email account. If accepted, you will receive a verification email.
If your photo was not approved, you will receive an email stating Your Photo was Not Approved- Action Required including the reason the photo could not be accepted. You can then submit a new photo that meets all requirements at the same online address. The new photo will upload over the current photo posted and our office will receive automatic notification that a new photo has been submitted. Once the new photo is reviewed, you will receive email communications verifying the status for that photo.

Yes, you can have your photo taken in person in our office, Stewart Center, Room 194 during normal business hours.

The photo submission site cannot be used for replacement IDs. Please visit our office, Stewart Center, Room 194 to update your photo.

You can prove your identity with TWO of the following:
Concise class schedule with name and PUID number (electronic or printed)
Bursar bill with name and PUID number (electronic or printed)
Piece of mail with name and address
Paycheck stub with name and address
Credit or debit card
Certified copy of your birth certificate
Social Security card
A picture ID from another school or university

The photo you select is not just for your Purdue ID but is used in your academic profile and on class rosters, so select the best photo to represent you as a member of the University.

Many individuals on campus have expressed a desire to be known by a name different than their legal name. This different name would be a preferred name.

Students can change their preferred name via the myPurdue portal. Please note:

• It may take up to three business days for the update to appear.
• You will need to take your current ID to Purdue ID Card Operations and trade it in for a new ID with the preferred name.
• There will be a replacement fee charged.

Faculty and staff can change their preferred name at Purdue ID Card Operations.

The legal name will continue to be used in business processes that require use of the legal name, such as for payroll records and student transcripts.

Faculty, staff, retiree and student cardholders may have an appropriate preferred name used on their Purdue ID cards.

Students, staff and faculty can come to Purdue ID Card Operations and request a replacement Purdue ID card with their preferred name printed on the card. There is a replacement fee. Our staff will determine if the preferred name is in our system and meets our guidelines. Customers can choose to get a new photo or use the same photo on file. All customers must surrender their current Purdue ID card.

The individual is free to determine the preferred name they want to use in the University’s information systems. Establishing a preferred name in Banner does not automatically give one the right to put the name on the Purdue ID card.
Your Purdue-issued ID card is your official University ID and is the property of Purdue University. Purdue reserves the right to decline the ID holder’s request to print a preferred name on the Purdue ID card if the name is deemed inappropriate. Inappropriate preferred names include but are not limited to those that avoid legal obligation, misrepresent, harass or threaten. In most cases, a preferred name should not be a message, company or group name, especially if it is for promotional purposes.

Individuals with preferred names deemed inappropriate can:

• Obtain a Purdue ID card with just their legal name.
• Change their preferred name in Banner and return later to our office for a Purdue ID card with revised appropriate preferred name.
• Appeal the decision.

To appeal the decision of the Purdue ID Card Operations staff, please send us an email stating your request to appeal the decision. Please explain your position as completely as possible on why you believe the preferred name is appropriate.
Purdue ID Card Operations administrators will contact the Registrar’s Office, Human Resources or Purdue Trademarks and Licensing to discuss the appeal and then contact the cardholder with a final decision. These offices have the ultimate authority in determining the appropriateness of preferred names. An email response will be sent to inform the cardholder of the decision within 30 days of the request. At that point, the decision will be considered final. If the request has been approved, the Purdue ID Card Operations staff must issue a Purdue ID card with the approved preferred name.

The legal name will be printed on the reverse side of the Purdue ID card.

No. When you surrender your current card, you can receive a new card containing your preferred name at no charge