Every University of Louisville student and employee is required to have a Cardinal Card. This official ID confirms your university affiliation and provides access to campus services, including identification, meal plans, library services and more.

Before You Begin

The online photo submission process is available only to individuals receiving their first Cardinal Card. Cardinal Cards do not expire. If you have previously been issued a Cardinal Card, it remains valid.

If a replacement card is needed, please visit the Cardinal Card Office,  $15 replacement fee will apply.

Step 1: Complete the Cardinal Card Agreement

Submit the Cardinal Card Agreement webform before uploading your photo.

Webforms submitted without a photo will be deleted and must be resubmitted. Photos submitted without a completed agreement will be rejected.

Step 2: Submit Your Photo and Identification

Upload both of the following:

• A digital photo that meets the requirements listed below
• A JPEG (.jpg) image of a valid, state-issued ID that includes your photo, name and date of birth

All submissions are reviewed and must be approved by the Cardinal Card Office.

Photo Requirements

As a general guideline, if your photo would not be accepted for a passport or state-issued ID, it will not be accepted for your Cardinal Card.

• Your photo must:

  • Be recent, in color and forward-facing
  • Show your head and shoulders, with your face clearly visible 
  • Have a plain white or off-white background
  • Include only the cardholder
  • Be clear, focused and free of shadows
  • In jpeg or jpg format
• 
  
• Your photo may not include:
• • Profile angles
  • Textured, patterned or edited backgrounds
  • Sunglasses, hats, baseball-style caps or novelty headwear
  • Filters, edits or AI enhancements
  • Professional portraits, senior photos or copyrighted images
  • Photos of existing printed pictures

  Mandatory religious head coverings are permitted.

  Select Your Status Type

  When submitting your information, choose the option that best reflects your affiliation:

  • Faculty/Staff – Current university employees
  • Housestaff – Residents or fellows employed by the university
  • Student – Students enrolled in the current academic semester
  • Online Academic Program – Students enrolled in a fully online academic program
  • Freshman Orientation – Incoming first-year students registered for a Summer 2026 orientation session

  Freshman Orientation note: When completing the Cardinal Card Agreement webform, select Freshman Orientation.

  Important Reminder

  Your Cardinal Card Agreement webform and online photo must be submitted together.

  Webforms submitted without photos will be deleted. Photos submitted without a completed agreement will be rejected. Submitting both items together helps ensure timely processing of your Cardinal Card.

FAQs

When can I receive my Cardinal Card?

Students

• Fall Semester: Cards are issued beginning the first business day in August for students enrolled in Fall classes.
• Spring Semester: Cards are issued beginning the first business day after Fall commencement for students enrolled in Spring classes.
• Summer Semester: Cards are issued beginning the first business day in May for students enrolled in Summer classes.

Employees

• Employees must be active on payroll for at least one business day before receiving a Cardinal Card.

My photo uploaded sideways. Is that okay?

Yes. Photos may be uploaded sideways. Our office will rotate your photo before adding it to our card system.

I am unable to upload my photo or driver’s license. What should I do?

If you experience issues or receive an error message when uploading your photo and/or driver’s license:

• Ensure files are in .jpg or .jpeg format
• Reduce the file size (maximum 4 MB)

If you continue to have issues, please visit the Cardinal Card Office in Houchens Building, LL05 to complete the process in person.

Note: For security reasons, we do not accept photos or driver’s licenses via email.