Newark is launching a municipal ID program for residents 14 and older.
The city said the ID will serve as proof of identity and residency regardless of immigration status, gender identity or incarceration history. Not having an address also won't be a problem.
“With this ID card, everyone in our city can truly say, ‘We Are Newark,’” Mayor Ras Baraka said in a statement.
The mayor says the ID will give residents access to cultural institutions and schools within Newark, and allow residents to receive discounts at the city's Health and Wellness Center.
He said he hopes it helps residents feel comfortable working in the city.
“We want to help all citizens and residents to engage with the city and its resources," Baraka said. "We want them to feel comfortable contributing positively to Newark socially, culturally and economically.”
The city does not yet have an estimate on the cost of the program but a spokesperson for the city said in an email that the card will cost $15 for adults and $7 for children and seniors.
The pilot ID program launches July 1 and opens citywide on the first of August.