Get Your OneCard ID: Students

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.

OneCard Uses

The OneCard ID is the official identification card of Northern Illinois University. It is your key to accessing all functions on campus:

New OneCard Design and Distribution

Check out the design of the new OneCard ID and see when you are eligible to receive it.

How to Obtain Your OneCard

1

All Photo Submissions Will Start With an Email From OneCard

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 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, please email onecard@niu.edu.
2

Guide Lines for Uploading a Photo

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

NIU OneCard ID Services reserves the right to refuse any photos that do not meet our requirements. Failure to adhere to photo submission guidelines is subject to appropriate university action as deemed necessary.
3
Wait for Your Photo Approval or Denial Status
- You will be given status of your request via your NIU student Z-ID email within 2-3 business days on whether your photo was approved or denied.
- Approved Photo – See step 4.
- Denied Photo – Please resubmit a new photo following the guidelines in step 2 listed above.
4

Receive Your OneCard ID

Your NIU OneCard will be available for pickup in 2 business days at the OneCard Office during regular 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.