Photo Submission

If you are a NEW University of Virginia incoming first-year, transfer or graduate student ONLY, you are eligible and encouraged to submit your photo online for your official UVA ID Card. An online submission gives you the opportunity to obtain your ID card faster. To take advantage of this convenient option follow the instructions below:

Photo Submission Requirements

• Saved as a .JPG ONLY
  
• NO larger than 400 KB and approximately 500 x 500 pixels
• Color photo ONLY
• BACKGROUND MUST BE COMPLETELY SOLID WHITE
  (DO NOT submit a photo with a background in color, with objects, textures, or patterns.)
• Clothing MUST be visible and preferably contrasting to white background
• Face and shoulders MUST be centered within photo
• NO hats, sunglasses, glare on glasses, red eye, shadows, blurry or debutante photos
  
• NOT too dark, bright, close or distant
  
• Orientation of image MUST be correct before submitting

Remember to chose your photo carefully. It will serve as your identity photo for the entire time you are at the University and be viewed by all the professors.

Photo Examples

CORRECT A smile is allowed. Wear visible clothing contrasting to white background.	WRONG NO profiles. Face forward, DO NOT tilt your head.	WRONG TOO close. Shoulders MUST be included and image MUST be centered.	WRONG NO hats, sunglasses, or any paraphernalia. Background MUST be solid white.

• Click on NetBadge using your UVA computing ID and password.
• A website will appear redirecting you to the Cavalier Advantage Online System.
• Click on the "Submit ID Photo" button.
• Follow the instructions.
  

Photo Tips

• If you have a problem submitting a photo cropped from a larger photo, you may need to retake your photo in a smaller size. The photo submission software has an issue accepting larger photos resized. Our apologies if this causes any inconvenience.
• Glare on glasses can be avoided with a slight downward tilt of your head or by turning off the camera flash.
• Shadows in the background can be reduced or removed by positioning a backlight below you pointing upward and by minimizing the distance between you and the background.
• Shadows on your face can be reduced by avoiding overhead lighting and making sure the lights on either side of you are of equal intensity.
• High contrast can be avoided by using even lighting and appropriate camera settings. Use balanced lighting to minimize shadows on the face or under the chin.  
• Photos are, also, affected by the type of light used. Avoid mixing incandescent and fluorescent lighting. The color balance selected on the camera should match the illumination.
• Exposure problems can be avoided by using the recommended light arrangement and diffusing the light sources. Overexposure occurs when the film or camera sensor receives too much light, which results in a loss of resolution or fine detail in highlights and more graininess. Underexposure occurs when the film or camera sensor receives too little light, which results in loss of detail in shadows.

The University of Virginia ID Card Office reserves the right to refuse any photos that do not meet our requirements.

Photos Submitted

• Photo submissions are reviewed manually. Due to the volume, it may take several business days to process.
• You will be notified by email if your photo is accepted or rejected. If the photo you submitted is unable to be used or if you are unable to submit one, we will take your photo during your scheduled Summer Orientation.
• You can check the status of your photo by following the original steps under "Your photo MUST be submitted online... ". Your photo will automatically appear under "Current ID Photo".
• DO NOT send more than one photo. DO NOT resubmit another one after we have accepted one or if there is already an existing photo.

Your University of Virginia ID Card will be issued during your scheduled Summer Orientation.*

*IMPORTANT: Please remember to bring your valid government issued photo identification card to obtain your University of Virginia ID card. (Either your U.S. Driver’s License issued by DMV, U.S. Identification Card issued by DMV, U.S. Permanent Resident/U.S. Department of Homeland Security/U.S. Green Card, Passport book or U.S. Military ID Card. Note: Driver's License's stamped "void" and Passport cards are unable to be accepted per Homeland Security.) Information on obtaining a U.S. Driver's License or U.S. Photo Identification card from DMV.