Orientation students – Do you want to pick up your OneCard at orientation check in? You will receive an email to submit your photo online within 3 business days of registering for orientation. Check your NIU email for a correspondence from the OneCard Office labeled “NIU OneCard Photo Submission.” For more information and steps see below.
The OneCard ID is the official identification card of Northern Illinois University. It is your key to accessing all functions on campus:
Check out the design of the new OneCard ID and see when you are eligible to receive it.
Orientation students – You will receive an email within 3 business days or sooner after registering for your orientation date.
New students not required to attend an orientation (e.g., graduate students) – You will receive an email within five (5) business days after your enrollment date.
If you have not received an email by the expected time period, please email onecard@niu.edu.
All other students – requesting new, lost or damaged OneCard, will need to stop by the Onecard office to get a replacement during normal business hours.
Provide a clear, recent photo of yourself
No more than 6 months old
At least 350 pixels by 350 pixels in size
Show your entire head and face the camera directly
Look directly at the camera; don't angle or tilt your head or shoulders at all
Include space around your head so we can resize your photo
Should be taken against a plain, light colored background without objects in the background
Photo is to be used for identification
This is for identification, not social media
Eyes must be visible, not covered
Sunglasses
Don't cover any part of your head
Headwear
No side view or glamour angles
Side/Profile
Photo of you, and ONLY you
Group
Your entire head must be
in the photo
Partial Head
Smile, don't use trendy or funny faces
Facial Expressions
Photo should have a plain and
light-colored background
Scenic Background
Photo must be in color; Don't add filters
Black and White
Don't have your hands or arms visible
Hands/Gestures
Must be a high quality
photo
Grainy/Blurry
No copyrighted or watermarked photos
Copyright/Watermark
Don't have text or emoticons
visible
Text
Your ID will be available for pick up in two (2) business days at the OneCard Office located in Founders Library, room 104 during business hours.
Special mailing request (eligible only for students who do not have classes on DeKalb campus) - please email onecard@niu.edu. Also, please ensure that your address is correct in MyNIU. Mailed OneCard IDs may take 10 to 15 business days to arrive from the mailing date.
Important: Any card issued after the initial card has been mailed will be subject to a $20 fee.
For more information, see our OneCard brochure.
Phone: 815-753-9569
Email: onecard@niu.edu