So many people want a municipal ID that you now need an appointment to get one. Nisha Agarwal, the city's immigrant affairs commissioner, and Tom Finkelpearl, cultural affairs commissioner, talk about the program's first week and how to sign up.
Five Things We Learned About the New Municipal ID
- As of this morning, New York City has processed around 5,500 applicants for the municipal ID.
- Because of the unexpected demand, the city have created an appointment system. Appointments can be made online, by calling 311, or at one of the 17 enrollment sites. They will be opening new sites and expanding service.
- If you don't have a valid photo ID, you can still apply. A broad range of documents can be used, including a passport from your home country-expired up to three years - or a matricula consular, a photo ID issued by many consulates.
- Undocumented immigrants shouldn’t worry that by signing up they will be making themselves vulnerable to deportation or prosecution. Four executive orders were issued to protect this data.
- Anytime this year, if you go to any of the 33 participating cultural institutions (listed below) with your ID, you will be able to sign up for a one-year membership, starting from that date. However, you must be a new member.
Here's a list of 33 cultural institutions offering discounted access with the municipal ID:
Bronx
Bronx County Historical Society
Bronx Museum of the Arts
New York Botanical Garden
Wave Hill
Wildlife Conservation Society/ Bronx Zoo
Brooklyn
Brooklyn Academy of Music
Brooklyn Botanical Garden
Brooklyn Children’s Museum
Brooklyn Museum
Manhattan
American Museum of Natural History
Carnegie Hall
El Museo del Barrio
Lincoln Center for the Performing Arts, Inc.
Metropolitan Museum of Art
Museum of Jewish Heritage
Museum of the City of New York
New York City Ballet
New York City Center
Studio Museum of Harlem
The Public Theater
Queens
Flushing Town Hall
Jamaica Center for Arts & Learning
MoMA PS1
Museum of the Moving Image
New York Hall of Science
Queens Botanical Garden
Queens Museum
Queens Theatre in the Park
Staten Island
Snug Harbor Cultural Center & Botanical Garden
Staten Island Children’s Museum
Staten Island Historical Society and Historic Richmond Town
Staten Island Museum
Staten Island Zoo