ST. LOUIS — St. Louis city residents could soon get their very own city ID, if an alderwoman's proposal is approved.
The "Gateway Card" identification would be available to all city residents at no cost, Ward 6 Alderwoman Daniela Velázquez said in her proposal on Friday. It would include the cardholder's name, photo, address, and date of birth, and would be a recognized form of photo identification that "connects residents to essential city services, fosters economic participation, and strengthens community bonds."
"The program addresses barriers faced by at least 5,000 city residents who have sought assistance obtaining an ID since 2022," the proposal said. "The program directly addresses the reality that currently 65% of St. Louis-area residents without an ID can't access banking services, and nearly 50% report transportation as a barrier to getting an ID."
An estimated 15 to 18 million adults in the United States do not have access to documents proving their birth or citizenship, often necessary for obtaining an ID, according to the Movement Advancement Project. Black adults, in particular, face many other obstacles to getting an ID, including discriminatory policing practices, legal segregation's routine denial of hospital access, and a lack of essential services within their communities.
The card would also reportedly help improve the city's economy, Velázquez said. Of residents without an ID, 72% reported challenges in securing employment and 42% cited housing instability issues. The new ID would help amend both those issues.
If the alderwoman's program is approved, the program is expected to be operational within 180 days.
See a full FAQ for the program below:
