Service

Get a free SF City ID Card

Get an identification card to get City services and benefits if you live in San Francisco.

Office of the County Clerk

What to know

Eligibility and cost

  • All San Francisco residents can apply for a free SF City ID Card, regardless of immigration status.
  • The card is valid for 2 years.
  • It's accepted as valid ID by many City agencies, including the San Francisco Police Department.

Information NOT shown on SF City ID card

  • Immigration status
  • Gender

The County Clerk does not keep copies of your documents or a record of your address. We only keep a copy of your application.

What to do

1. Prove your identity

Show 1 original, unexpired document:

  • Passport (US or foreign)
  • US driver's license
  • US state ID
  • Permanent Resident Card (Green Card)
  • Consular Identification (CID)
  • Photo ID from another country that meets the requirements of SF Admin Code 95.1(a).

Don't have one of those? Bring 2 of the following instead.

One must have a photo (for ages 14 and older), and one must show your date of birth:

  • Birth certificate (US or foreign, certified copy)
  • Military ID (US or foreign)
  • ITIN authorization letter
  • ID from a California school
  • National ID card with photo, name, address, date of birth, and expiration date
  • Foreign driver's license
  • Government-issued visa

2. Prove you live in San Francisco

Bring 1 document with your name and SF address (from the last 30 days):

  • Utility bill (electricity, gas, garbage, water, internet, cable, or phone)
  • Bank statement or paystub
  • Income tax statement or refund statement
  • School enrollment for your child at an SF school
  • Property tax statement or mortgage payment receipt
  • Rent stabilization and arbitration board ruling
  • Jury summons or court order
  • Insurance bill (homeowner, renter, health, life, or auto)

No documents with a San Francisco address in your name? A letter from a City-funded homeless shelter, hospital, health clinic, or social services agency also works. If you have an original certified marriage certificate, you can also use residency documents in your spouse's name.

3. Bring your documents to County Clerk

Once you gather your documents, visit the Office of the County Clerk.

No prior appointment is needed. We only accept walk-ins.

We will take your photo during the visit, and you will receive your new SF City ID card before you leave. The full process takes approximately 30 minutes.

Special cases

Children 13 and under

A child living in San Francisco can also get a free SF City ID. The ID is valid for 2 years. A parent or guardian must bring the child to the appointment and sign the application. The parent's information does not appear on the child's ID.

Step 1: Prove the child's identity

Bring an official medical or school record that shows the child's date of birth and carries the Educational Placement Center (EPC) office stamp.

You also must bring one of the following:

  • Birth certificate (US or foreign, certified)
  • Social Security card
  • Current visa
  • California Educational Institution Card from a school

Step 2: Prove the child lives in San Francisco

Bring proof the child is currently enrolled in an SF school. If that's not available, you may use the parent or guardian's proof of residency instead (see the standard applicant list above).

Step 3: Prove the parent or guardian's identity

The accompanying adult must show valid ID (see the standard applicant identity list above).

Contact us

Address

Office of the County ClerkCity Hall, Room 160
1 Dr. Carlton B Goodlett Place
San Francisco, CA 94102
Get directions

Monday to Friday, 8 am to 4 pm, Processing hours

Closed on public holidays

Phone

415-701-2311