City identification card-Cedar Herald Index

In the United States, a city (or municipal) identification card is a form of identification card issued by a municipality, such as a city, rather than a state or federal government. Under federal law, cities may issue their own identification cards as they see fit, and do not have to consider the immigration or criminal status of an applicant before doing so. New Haven, Connecticut, issued the first municipal identification cards in the United States, the Elm City Resident Card, in 2007. On January 15, 2009, the city/county of San Francisco launched the SF City ID Card, a municipal identification card program modeled after New Haven's. Other cities that issue identification cards include Asbury Park, New Jersey, and Washington, D.C. (DC One Card). In Mercer County, New Jersey, a community ID card is being issued by a local non-profit organization with the endorsement of various law enforcement agencies.

United States

Arizona

Phoenix, Arizona (approved, then cancelled) On August 31, 2016 the city council of Phoenix, Arizona voted 5 to 4 to create a city identification card that would be available to undocumented immigrants. The cards were to have been available by February 2017. This program was cancelled in February 2018.

City identification card

Arkansas

Little Rock

Little Rock offers the Little Rock Identification Card to residents 14 years of age and older.

City identification card

California

Los Angeles, California (not issued as of 2019) On November 8, 2012, the Los Angeles City Council voted 12 to 1 to solicit proposals for a municipal identification card. It will be modeled on the Oakland City ID system.

City identification card

Oakland, California (2013) The city of Oakland, California, has debated a proposed municipal identification system, which would include a debit card function, for all city residents, regardless of immigration status, a move backed by the Oakland City ID Card Coalition. On September 13, 2011, the Oakland City Council decided to wait for a cost and feasibility study to be completed by late October before proceeding, hoping to begin issuing ID cards in 2012, barring any unforeseen circumstances. This, however, extended into 2012, with the City Council voting in favor of the final portion of the program on October 16, 2012. The first cards of the program are slated to be issued on February 1

Richmond, California (2011) On July 5, 2011, the Richmond city council voted unanimously to issue municipal identification cards to Richmond residents, regardless of immigration status. In a letter to the council urging passage of the measure, a city council member and the mayor argued that "many Richmond residents lack the necessary forms of official identification that are required to access financial institutions, jobs, housing, and protections for the home and workplace. These residents include immigrants, children, students, the homeless, transgender people, the indigent, the disabled, the elderly, runaway youth, and adult survivors of domestic violence." The program will be administered by a third-party vendor at no cost to the city.

San Francisco, California (2009)

In November 2007, the board of supervisors of San Francisco voted to issue municipal ID cards to residents of the city, regardless of immigration status. The cards were officially launched on January 15, 2009. Proof of identity and of city residence is required.

Connecticut

New Haven, Connecticut (2007)

The Elm City Resident Card is an ID card used in New Haven, Connecticut, in the United States. The card was originally designed to protect the estimated 10,000 to 15,000 illegal immigrants in New Haven from being robbed or assaulted. All city residents can receive the card, which serves as a form of identification, debit card with a capacity of $150, library card, and a way to pay for parking meters. The cards were first issued in July 2007, and were the first municipal identification cards issued in the United States. The card costs $5 for children or $10 for adults.

Hartford, Connecticut (2017)

First issued May 22, 2017, the Hartford City ID is a "Government-issued identification card that is available to all Hartford residents who can verify their identification and residency status in Hartford."