Photo ID card instructions for new students

New students have the opportunity to submit their own photos for their NJIT photo ID cards from their mobile phones via a free mobile application (app) called Symmetry Mobile.  The ID office will generate and mail the photo ID card to the student.
In addition to receiving your photo ID card in the mail, this process will immediately issue you a mobile credential on your phone – which is the electronic version of your photo ID card.
Below is detailed information on this process:

Photo Identification

Photo ID card (and mobile credential) eligibility:

  • First Year Students must be accepted and deposited
  • Transfer Students must be accepted and must be registered for classes
  • Graduate Students must be accepted and must be registered for classes
  • Note that Rutgers, Essex County College and high school students are not eligible

Quick summary for obtaining your photo ID card (and mobile credential):

  1. Receive your invitation email (which contains your QR code) from the Photo ID system
  2. Load the free Symmetry Mobile app onto your phone from Apple Store or Google Play
  3. Select Add New Credential via the app menu then scan the QR code in your invitation email
  4. Add your photo into the app. The ID office will approve your photo within 2 work days
  5. Start using your mobile credential (from the app’s wallet) upon approval
  6. Wait for your photo ID card in the mail


Detailed process for obtaining your photo ID card (and mobile credential):

  1. Before the start of your first semester (in July for the Fall or in January for the Spring), the NJIT photo ID system will send an invitation email to your njit.edu email address.  This email contains a unique QR code that is for your one-time use only.  Upon receipt, follow the directions in the email as outlined below.
  2. Load a free application (app) called Symmetry Mobile onto your mobile phone from the Apple App Store or Android Google Play (depending on the type of phone you have).  The links are below: 

Symmetry Mobile App - via the Apple App Store
Symmetry Mobile App - via Android Google Play
 

  1. After loading, open the app and accept Location, Bluetooth or Camera settings when prompted.  From the app's menu select Add New Credential then:
  •  Import the QR code that is attached to the invitation email (recommended) - Or Scan the QR code that is in the body of the invitation email
  • Hint: Both QR codes are the same. 
    - If you are viewing the invitation email on your phone, it is easiest to save the attached QR code file as a photo on your phone then use the import QR Code option.
    - If you are viewing your email on a separate computer (or if you print the email), the scan QR code option can be used to scan the QR code that is in the email body.
  • Note:  Either QR code can be used one time and on one phone only, so please do so only on the phone that you normally carry.
  1. After loading the QR code, select Add Photo
    Choose an existing picture from your phone (recommended) - Or use the camera on your phone to take a selfie
    Photos should be:
    -A color photo formatted similar to a driver's license or passport photo
    -The background must be a solid white or a light color
    -Size the photo so that your face and shoulders are in the frame and your are facing forward
    -NO sunglasses, hats, funny faces, props/emoji or anyone else in the photo
    -NO photo-shopped or altered photos
    Hint:  If you are taking a selfie from the app, you will be able to retake and resize the photo as many times as needed.  However, once you select Done and Continue, you wil NOT be able to retake the photo.
    Note:  The photo ID office will need to review and approve your submitted photo.  Please allow up to two business days for your photo to be approved.
  2. Start using your mobile credential from the app's wallet immediately
    Display your mobile credential to identify yourself on campus.
    Note:  Until we approve your photo in our system, your mobile credential will show as inactive
    Present your mobile credential to card readers on campus (Bluetooth must be on) in order to gain access to buildings, rooms or parking.
    Notes:  Your mobile credential will not work at readers until it shows as "Active" on your screen.  You must be pre-approved by a department for card reader access function.
  3. Wait for your Photo ID card in the mail.  The photo ID office will mail your photo ID card to the "permanent address" you have in your account.  Please allow 3 weeks for delivery.  If you do not receive your card by the first day of classes, or if your permanent address is outside of the United States you should pick up your photo ID card at the start of the semester from the photo ID office that is located at 131 Summit Street (in the Laurel Hall Extension).  
    NOTE:  We stop mailing ID cards 2 weeks before the start of each FALL semester, at which point all ID cards are held for pick up at the Photo ID & Parking Office located at 131 Summit Street (in the Laurel Hall Extension).  For each SPRING semester, we do not mail any ID cards and they are all held for pick up.
     

For more information: