Mason Card Office

Mason ID

Obtain Your Mason ID
Mason ID
Obtain Your Mason ID
Where to Use
Manage Your Mason ID
Event Support

What is Mason ID?

The Mason ID is George Mason University’s official ID card and your key to life on campus! The Mason ID is an all-in-one card to access your Mason Money, meal plan, campus facilities, residence halls, George Mason shuttles, social and athletic events, and more. No need to carry cash when there are so many benefits!

The Choice is Yours

CHOOSE ONLY ONE OPTION

Printing the physical Mason ID is currently unavailable.

Mobile ID

Activate & Access Now

  • Requires a smartphone
  • Easy to access
  • Reduce plastic waste
  • Update photos anytime

Where to Use

  • Meal Plans
  • Shuttles
  • Print & Mail
  • Building Access
  • Mason Money
  • Library & Equipment Rental
  • Fitness Centers
  • Voting & Exam
  • See All Usage Here
How It Works

Physical ID

Pickup at Mason Card Office

  • No smartphone required
  • Secure card chip
  • Trusted ID

Where to Use

  • Meal Plans
  • Shuttles
  • Print & Mail
  • Building Access
  • Mason Money
  • Library & Equipment Rental
  • Fitness Centers
  • Voting & Exam
  • See All Usage Here
How to Obtain

Obtain Your Mason ID

Step 1: Upload Photos Online

Log in to the Online Mason Card Office and upload one valid government-issued photo ID and one headshot that meets the photo guidelines.

Activate Your Mason Mobile ID? You must upload a photo to your account before activating your Mason Mobile ID.

Step 2: Submit for Approval

Approval notice will be sent to the applicant’s George Mason email within 1-3 business days. The denied reason will be provided if rejected, and another photo can be submitted.

Step 3: Activate Your Mason Mobile ID

Step-by-Step Instructions Here
How to Use
FAQs

Choose ONLY ONE option

Activate your Mason Mobile ID now on your iPhone, Apple Watch, or Android device.

Bring a government photo ID and your G number to pick up your physical Mason ID at one of the Mason Card Offices in Fairfax or Mason Square campuses.

Potomac Science & SMSC—Bring a government photo ID and your G number to pick up the Mason ID at one of the Mason Card Offices in Fairfax, SciTech, or Mason Square campuses.

While we are experiencing technical difficulties printing the physical Mason ID card, we encourage all users to activate the Mason Mobile ID, which offers the same functionality as the physical Mason ID, to ensure uninterrupted access to campus facilities and services.

We have a limited supply of temporary cards that can be issued ONLY to the following communities:

  • International students with non-U.S. app stores and incompatible devices.
  • User devices that do not meet the hardware requirements or without a built-in NFC connection.
  • Other exceptions are on a case-by-case basis.

Please contact the Mason Card Office at the Fairfax Campus if you encounter issues activating your Mason Mobile ID.

About The Mason ID

The Mason ID is for members of the university currently studying or working at Mason. The first Mason ID is free. A card replacement for a lost, damaged, or stolen card is $25 each. To obtain your first Mason ID, follow the instructions below to complete the steps.

Note: Printing physical Mason IDs is currently unavailable. We encourage everyone to activate the Mason Mobile ID. New Mason ID users who have activated their Mason Mobile ID on and after January 6, 2025, will not be charged the $25 replacement fee if they choose to change to the physical Mason ID once available.

Obtain Your Mason ID

Students must be registered for the current semester.

Faculty/Staff, contract employees, and affiliates must complete the electronic approval hiring process.

  • A valid passport;
  • Driver’s license, state-issued photo ID card, U.S. military ID, or permanent resident card;
  • Other valid photo ID issued by a U.S. state, territory, or the U.S. Federal Government.

The Mason ID will display your legal name. The Mason ID is for campus use and is intended to be used by the individual whose name and photo appear on the front of the card. Misuse is subject to judicial proceedings.

Your account and personal information will be kept strictly confidential as per the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act. Outside parties will not be privileged to information about you, your account, or the purchases you make without your express consent unless such disclosure is in compliance with a court order or government legislation.

Store your Mason ID in your wallet or other secured places to avoid physical damage to the card. If treated properly, the card will last your entire stay at Mason. Do not puncture, laminate, or fold the Mason ID.

If your card is lost or stolen, deactivate your Mason ID to prevent any unauthorized usage of Mason Money and meal plans:

  • Log into the Online Mason Card Office and select “Lost/Stolen Card.”
  • Or contact the Mason Card Office at (703) 993-1004. If after business hours, leave a voice mail requesting that your Mason ID be deactivated, clearly stating your name, G Number, and contact information.

For a replacement Mason ID, visit the Mason Card Office on the Fairfax Campus, SciTech Campus, or Mason Square during business hours. There is a $25 fee for a card replacement.

If your newly issued Mason ID does not grant you access to buildings or spaces, contact your office or building manager for access management.

Photo Guidelines

Any special requests for exceptions must be submitted to Mason Card Office in writing, including name, G Number, and mailing address. Requestors will be notified by mail of the University’s decision. Retakes at an individual’s request will be subject to the $25 replacement fee.

  • A neutral-colored or white background with proper lighting without shadows.
  • The subject’s expression should be natural, with both eyes open. Side or angled views are NOT acceptable.
  • Applicants must face forward with any distracting articles and objects out of view. The picture must be of the head and shoulders only.
  • Eyes should be open and visible – prescription glasses are allowed.

Sunglasses or other articles which obscure the face are not acceptable unless required for medical reasons (an eye patch, for example). In cases of medical necessity, a note from a healthcare provider must be presented before the picture can be taken. A replacement ID should be created as soon as the item is no longer required.

Hats or other head coverings are acceptable only when required by religious beliefs, tenets, traditions or customs, and may not cover any portion of the applicant’s face.

Another form of ID issued by a government or civil agency should be provided in support of the request. (Photographs of applicants wearing tribal, national costume, or other headgear not specifically religious in nature are not acceptable).

Hours & Locations

Where to Use

Both the Mason Mobile ID and the plastic Mason ID provide access to campus services. Be sure to carry your Mason ID on campus to access dozens of goods and services by tapping on the card readers.

Services on Campus

Use your Mason ID to access services on campus, including dining halls, printers, mailboxes, shuttles, vending machines, health centers, libraries, and more!

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Use your Mason ID for campus services

Building Access

Gain keyless access to authorized spaces, office buildings, and residence halls with your Mason ID.

Explore Today

Entertainment & Discounts

Receive free or reduced-price admissions for sporting events, fitness facilities, and social events on campus, and get discounts at retail stores, beauty salons, and grocery stores off campus.

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Identification for Voting and Exams

Show your physical Mason ID or the Mason Mobile ID for exams on campus and federal, state, or local elections in Virginia.

Explore Today

Manage Your Mason ID ACCOUNT

You can manage your Mason ID, meal plans, and Mason Money with personalized settings, such as:

  • Adding up to 10 guest accounts
  • Checking account balance and recent transactions
  • Making deposits or requesting money
  • Setting up low-balance warnings
  • Activating/deactivating your account
Online Mason Card Office
College of Humanities and Social Sciences students. Photo by Evan Cantwell/Creative Services/George Mason University

FAQs

For questions on meal plan options, food nutrition, allergy concerns, or dietary restrictions, please visit Mason Dining FAQs for more information.

If you plan on using services, such as meal plans, Mason Money, campus shuttles, building access, and off-campus discounts, you must obtain and present your Mason ID at the time of these services.

If your card is lost or stolen, choose one of the following methods to deactivate your Mason ID to prevent any unauthorized usage of Mason Money and meal plans:

  • Log into the Online Mason Card Office and select “Lost/Stolen Card.”
  • Contact the Mason Card Office at (703) 993-1004. If after business hours, leave a voice mail requesting that your Mason ID be deactivated, clearly stating your name, G Number, and contact information.

For a replacement Mason ID, visit the Mason Card Office on the Fairfax Campus, SciTech Campus, or Mason Square during business hours. There is a $25 fee for a card replacement.

After receiving your replacement card, log into the Online Mason Card Office to reactivate it. If your newly issued Mason ID does not grant you access to buildings or spaces, contact your office or building manager for access management.

Students—All academic and administrative buildings will be open during regular business hours and do not require Mason ID. To access residence halls, contact the Housing and Residence Life staff for support.

Faculty/Staff/Affiliate—All academic and administrative buildings will be open during business hours. To gain access outside of operation hours, contact your office or building manager to request additional access.

Campus services (such as dining, retail, entertainment, and recreation) that are open to the public accept debit/credit cards.

Due to technical challenges, we cannot print physical Mason IDs for all users. We encourage everyone who currently doesn’t have a Mason ID or has lost/damaged a Mason ID to activate the Mason Mobile ID.

For current physical Mason ID users, the physical Mason ID is working properly. If you opt for the Mason Mobile ID, there is no cost for switching from a physical Mason ID card to the Mason Mobile ID. However, once your Mason Mobile ID is activated, the physical card will stop functioning immediately.

There is no cost to use your Mason ID on mobile devices.

  • Apple: up to two devices (one iPhone and one Apple Watch) that are signed into iCloud with the same Apple Account
  • Android: one Android phone

If you are new and never downloaded the Mason Mobile ID, follow the steps here to activate your Mason Mobile ID.

If you don’t have access to your old device:

  • Open Settings on your new device, and go to your Apple Account.
  • Scroll to the bottom, where it shows all linked devices under your iCloud account, and remove the old device.

If you still have access to your old device:

  • Make sure your DUO mobile is set up on your new phone.
  • Open the Apple Wallet on your old device.
  • Select the Mason Mobile ID pass, tap the info icon in the top right corner, and select Remove Card.
  • Once your old pass is removed, you can add your pass to the new device using the Atrium Campus Connect app.

Please check the following setup guidelines:

If you experience any technical difficulties, contact the Mason Card Office on the Fairfax Campus during business hours.

  • iPhones XS and later: Express Mode with power reserve is available for up to five hours after the device’s battery needs to be charged. You can press the side button to check if Express Mode is available when your iPhone needs to be charged. Doing this often may significantly reduce the power reserve for Express Mode. If you choose to power off your iPhone, this feature will not be available.

  • Android, iPhone 6/6 Plus to iPhone X: Your device must have battery power to use the Mason Mobile ID.

Yes. The Mason Mobile ID provides full access to all campus services. Simply tap your device on the card readers, and you can access your meal plan, library, gym membership, building entrance, Mason Money, and more.

Event Support

The ASO Tech provides attendance readers and transaction hardware for tracking event attendance and assisting Mason Money transactions. The devices are available to rent for Mason departments, student organizations, and off-campus Mason Merchants. 

Use attendance reader to for event access and insights

Attendance Reader

The attendance reader is a cloud-based system that allows campus departments to gain attendance and demographic data for events, classes, or other services. After attaching a USB tap reader to a laptop, users may collect customer information by tapping the Mason ID on the reader.

About the Attendance Reader
Attendance Reader Request Form
Access Mason Money via Mason ID

Mason Money Reader

Service providers who wish to accept Mason Money as a payment solution may rent a wireless reader. Available for campus departments, student organizations, and external partners, the reader provides a simple transaction solution for customers who wish to pay with Mason Money.

About the Mason Money Reader

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Due to a technical challenge, physical Mason ID card printing is currently unavailable. Our staff is actively working to resolve this issue as soon as possible. In the meantime, we highly recommend using the Mason Mobile ID as an alternative. It offers the same functionality, is convenient to set up, and ensures uninterrupted access to campus facilities and services.Mason Mobile ID
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