Office of The County Clerk

SF City ID Card - How to Get a Card

Sample Card

QUALIFICATIONS
An applicant must establish proof of identity and San Francisco residency when applying for an SF City ID Card at the County Clerk's Office. An application submitted on behalf of a minor must be completed by the minor's parent or legal guardian.

HOW TO APPLY:

BY APPOINTMENT ONLY-ALL APPLICANTS MUST HAVE AN APPOINTMENT

Make an appointment** up to 180 days in advance with the County Clerk ’s Office (Appointment process subject to change):

Online appointment system
Calling 3-1-1, or if dialing outside of San Francisco 415-701-2311

** Same day appointments are not available.

On your confirmed appointment date, arrive 10 minutes early at:

City Hall, Room 82
(on the Ground Floor/Basement, near the McAllister St. entrance)
1 Dr. Carlton B. Goodlett Place
San Francisco, CA 94102-4678

There, you will:

Fill out an application (see "Application")

Show proof of identity and residency (see "Proof of Identity" and "Proof of Residency")

Pay a fee (see "Fees")

Get your picture taken

Receive your SF City ID Card before you leave your appointment.

Appointments generally take 20 minutes.

APPLICATIONS

English (PDF) - Application for Individual 13 Years and Younger
Spanish (PDF) - Application for Individual 13 Years and Younger
Chinese (PDF) - Application for Individual 13 Years and Younger

English (PDF) - Application for Individual 14 Years and Older
Spanish (PDF) - Application for Individual 14 Years and Older
Chinese (PDF) - Application for Individual 14 Years and Older

FEES
Payments in cash are preferred. The County Clerk's Office also accepts checks.

Child (13 yrs of age and younger) - $5
Adult (14 yrs of age and older) - $15
Senior (62 yrs of age and older) - $5
Low-Income* - $5

* Low-Income: You will need to show proof of income eligibility to qualify for this fee reduction. Sample documents that you may present include: enrollment in food stamps, Medi-Cal, CalWORKS, public housing, free and reduced school lunch, MUNI Lifeline program, etc.

PROOF OF IDENTITY AND RESIDENCY REQUIREMENTS

On the date and time of appointment, Proof of Identity Documents MUST:

Be on the list
Display expiration date
Not be expired
Not be voter registration card
Not be check cashing card
Be English or Bi-lingual English-Foreign Language
Resemble person holding card

Absolutely no exceptions

On the date and time of appointment, Proof of Residency Documents MUST:

Be on the list
Be dated within past 30 days
Display applicant name and residential address
Not be mobile/cellular phone bill

Absolutely no exceptions

If a card is lost, stolen, or destroyed, a new appointment must be made, applicant must apply for, meet all requirements once again, and pay fee for replacement card.

List of Acceptable Identity and Residency Documents (PDF)

PROOF OF IDENTITY
ONE of the following documents (must display applicant's photograph and date of birth):	Or, TWO of the following documents (at least one document must display applicant's date of birth and photograph): The photograph requirement does not apply to applicants 13 and under
US or Foreign Passport: US Driver's License US State ID US Permanent Resident Card (Green Card) Consular Identification (CID) Photo ID Card issued by another Country to its citizens or nationals that meets the requirements of San Francisco Administrative Code 95.1(a) NOTE: Applicants 13 and under may also present: Birth certificate (certified copy; photograph not required)	Certified Copy of US or Foreign Birth Certificate Social Security Card National ID Card with photo, name, address, date of birth, and expiration date Foreign Driver's License US or Foreign Military Identification Card Current Visa issued by a government agency US Individual Taxpayer Identification Number (ITIN) authorization letter California Educational Institution Identification Card: elementary, middle, secondary and post secondary schools NOTE: Applicants 13 and under may also present the following (at least one document must display date of birth; photograph not required): Official medical record Official school record
PROOF OF RESIDENCY
ONE of the following documents containing the applicant's name and residential address within San Francisco:
Utility bill dated within the last 30 days Local property tax statement or mortgage payment receipt dated within the last 30 days Bank account statement dated within the last 30 days Proof of a minor currently enrolled in a San Francisco school Current San Francisco Golf Resident Card Employment pay stub dated within the last 30 days Written ruling, order or notice from the Residential Rent Stabilization and Arbitration Board dated within the last 30 days Jury summons or court order issued by a state or federal court and dated within the last 30 days Federal or state income tax or refund statement dated within the last 30 days Insurance bill (homeowner’s, renter’s, health, life or automobile insurance) dated within the last 30 days Written verification issued by a homeless shelter that receives City funding confirming at least 15 days residency within the last 30 days Written verification issued by a hospital, health clinic or social services agency that receives City funding confirming at least 15 days residency within the last 30 days If a certified copy of a marriage certificate is presented at the time of application, an applicant may prove residency using documents bearing the name of his/her spouse. NOTE: For applicants 13 and under unable to provide residency documents, a parent or legal guardian may verify the child's residency, provided the parent or guardian would be eligible for a City Identification Card him or herself.