Public Employee Press

New city photo IDs available for all New Yorkers

Photo ID cards are now available to all New York City residents, regardless of immigration status. NYC's Municipal ID Program, the largest in the nation, began processing applications on Jan. 12 at 17 enrollment centers across the five boroughs. The card may be used for most basic functions and city services for which IDs are necessary, including opening a bank account, filling prescriptions and dealing with police.

For the first year of the program, the Municipal ID are free and come with benefits, such as a one-year free membership to 33 of the city's cultural institutions, including the Bronx Zoo, New York Aquarium, American Museum of Natural History and the Metropolitan Museum of Art. The ID also doubles as a library card.

For thousands of residents who are undocumented immigrants, this is the first time they will have access to identification.

"The Municipal ID is a powerful tool to bring more New Yorkers out of the shadows and into the mainstream," said Mayor Bill de Blasio.

The IDs are available to any city resident age 14 and older, including the homeless.

To learn more or find out how to apply, call 311 or visit www1.nyc.gov/site/idnyc/index.page.