Newark Launches Municipal ID Card Program

All of Newark’s residents will soon have access to a form of ID, regardless of their immigration or housing status.

The City of Newark officially announced its new municipal ID card program on Monday, which will provide identification for all city residents ages 14 and older.

According to a release, the cards will be especially useful for marginalized people in the community, such as those with disabilities, youth, seniors, clergy, formerly-incarcerated individuals, the homeless, immigrants and transgender people.

“Today, we are proud to be Newarkers as we extend democracy to hundreds of our residents,” said Mayor Baraka during a press conference on Monday.

The Newark Municipal ID cards will begin as a pilot program on July 1 and then open citywide on August 1.

According to a release, the cards will:

• Serve as proof of identity and proof of residency regardless of immigration status
• Provide access to cultural institutions and schools and within the City
• Help residents who do not have access to other forms of identification to interact with city agencies, local authorities and open bank accounts

Photo courtesy of the City of Newark Press Office

Photo caption: Newark Mayor Ras Baraka was among the first wave of residents to get a newly issued municipal ID card, available to the general public on August 1.