The City of Wichita is creating a municipal identification program that will help residents get an ID card that can help in getting access to a number of essential services.

The program was developed after city staff looked into similar programs in Kansas City, Topeka and Detroit.  More than 40 cities in the U.S. offer municipal ID cards.   The program will comply with I-9 requirements to allow cardholders to show that they are eligible for employment.  The card will display the statement “Not valid for state ID” and it will have an option to display a cardholder’s Veteran status.

The card will be available to all Wichita residents 14 and older, and it can be used to open bank accounts, apply for housing, apply for library cards and access other services.  It cannot be used as a Kansas ID and it cannot be used to vote.  It also does not grant immigration status or authorization to work.   The cards will be available at City Hall and also at the Multi Agency Center that is under development to provide services to the homeless.   Applicants will have to provide proper documentation and there will be no fee for the card.

Staff had suggested the names of “Air Capital Card” and “ICT ID” but the City Council agreed to label it as the “City of Wichita Municipal ID.” The cards are expected to be available this spring.   The Council agreed to provide $20,000 to fund the program and that is included in the city’s 2025 budget.