For St. Louis residents who have been tripped up by missing paperwork, there is now a new card on the table. City officials have launched a free municipal Gateway ID as of Thursday, April 30, giving people without traditional identification another way to access banking, housing and city services. The card is issued by the Treasurer’s Office and is meant to lower the barrier for anyone who cannot produce standard government ID. Cards will be available in person at City Hall this week.
The Gateway ID program, which was created by Ordinance 71953, provides a photo ID that includes the holder’s name, address, date of birth and a unique card number. The city says the card can be used to get a St. Louis Public Library card and to open accounts at participating financial institutions, according to the City of St. Louis.
"The city can verify identity and residence to expand access to banking, housing and employment," Treasurer Adam Layne told local reporters, as reported by First Alert 4. Officials say the goal is simple: everyday tasks that once turned into bureaucratic headaches should be a little easier for people who kept running into ID-related roadblocks.
How to apply
Anyone who has lived in the City of St. Louis for at least 15 days is eligible to apply. Applicants must bring one primary form of ID or two secondary documents, plus at least one proof of residency. Minors need a parent or guardian present.
Applications are taken in person at the Treasurer’s Office, 1200 Market Street, Room 220, Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. The city says the card is free and issued during the visit, per the City of St. Louis.
What the card does and what it does not
The Gateway ID can be used to access city-administered services, sign up for library cards and work with participating banks. Local businesses may also choose to offer discounts to cardholders.
What it will not do is stand in for a state or federal ID. The card cannot be used for voting, to buy age-restricted products, or to board commercial flights. The Treasurer’s Office says it will keep only limited demographic data for the program and will return original documents to applicants after processing.
Officials frame the Gateway ID as part of a broader effort to knock down barriers to basic services and economic participation in the city. For more information, contact the Gateway ID program at [email protected] or call (314) 366-3100.
