Your Fully Mobile OWLcard

The OWLcard is the official Temple University identification card for students, faculty, and staff. You can use your OWLcard to access a variety of services including building access, meal plan use, library services, health and recreation facilities, and to pay with Diamond Dollars, Temple’s stored value program. 

Diamond Dollars - a pre-paid debit feature available on your OWLcard - can be used to pay for textbooks at the Bookstore, a wide-variety of dining possibilities on campus, printing in the TECH Center, and vending in University buildings. Learn more 

Ready for your first OWLcard?

Here's how to submit your ID photo online:

Students submit their photo electronically as part of your Next Steps process on TUportal. For instructions on how to submit your ID photo click here.

Professional/clinical students required to use a physical OWLcard, can visit the OWLcard Office, located in Suite 101 in the Howard Gittis Student Center, between 9:00am and 4:00pm. You will need your 9 digit Temple ID# and a government issued photo ID (driver's license, passport, military ID).

Not a Student? Follow these instructions to obtain your OWLcard

Faculty and Staff

All Temple University employees are eligible for an OWLcard. Please contact Human Resources to obtain your OWLcard @ 215.204.7176 or email

There is no charge for your initial OWLcard or renewal if it expires; other fees may apply for replacement cards. Your OWLcard is used to access buildings and spaces, for campus payments, and identification. It is University property and should receive the same care as your credit card and government-issued ID card.

Important: You must produce a valid Passport or a valid photo ID issued by a U.S. state, territory, or the U.S. Federal Government to receive your first OWLcard.

Alumni

Stay connected to the nest with your Temple Alumni Card. Cardholders have access to campus recreation, library resources, university online resources and more. Please note, if you need specific building access, you must secure that access through the department you want to visit.

If you have questions about how to get registered with the Alumni services, please contact the Alumni Office via phone at 215-204-7521 or email at .

Guests & Visitors

"Guests" are defined as individuals who are not current Temple University faculty, staff, or students. Guests include, but are not limited to, employees of Temple University Health System, visiting faculty, visiting scholars, contractors, vendors, volunteers, volunteer faculty who are not considered "faculty of record," temporary agency employees, and summer program participants. Access privileges for guests and visitors are detailed in TUportal

  • Guest Card - the Temple University Photo ID with a magnetic swipe/proximity sensor reserved for guests.
  • Visitor Card - the Temple University Identification Card without a magnetic swipe reserved for use by Human Resources for visitors to the university. The Visitor Card is for short term use and does not provide swipe access to facilities and services.

OWLcard Mobile Checklist

Please make sure that all the following conditions have been met BEFORE you attempt to download your OWLcard.

OWLcard Mobile Checklist

Make sure that all the following conditions have been met BEFORE you attempt to download your OWLcard Mobile:

  1. You have an approved photo on file. Not sure? You can verify this in TUportal
  • Select Student Tools Tab
  • Select Get My TUid from the left-hand navigation.
  • If you see a photo of yourself on your OWLcard, you are good to go. If not, you will need to submit a photo or make an appointment to have a photo taken.
  1. New students must be registered for orientation or for the current/upcoming semester on a domestic campus.
  2. Your phone has NFC (specifically for Android) and it is enabled
  3. ApplePay or Google Pay is enabled

Apple iPhone Region setting is United States. ApplePay does not work in other regions.

  • Go to: General > Language & Region >Region and select United States

Apple iPhone Settings for ‘unrestricted access’

  • Go to: Screen time > Content & Privacy Restrictions > Content Restriction > Web Content and select unrestricted access

Be sure to set up Multi-Factor Authentication.

Checklist complete? Let's go to set up

Contact Us

The Main Campus OWLcard Office is located on the 1st floor inside the Howard Gittis Student Center (1755 N. 13th Street Philadelphia, PA 19122)

Report lost or stolen OWLcards immediately to our office (215-204-3140) or to the Temple University Police (215-204-1234).

Email us: OWLcard@temple.edu