Under federal law, cities may issue their own identification cards as they see fit, and do not have to consider the immigration or criminal status of an applicant before doing so.

[5] In Mercer County, New Jersey, a community ID card is being issued by a local non-profit organization with the endorsement of various law enforcement agencies.

[9] On November 8, 2012, the Los Angeles City Council voted 12 to 1 to solicit proposals for a municipal identification card.

[11][12] On September 13, 2011, the Oakland City Council decided to wait for a cost and feasibility study to be completed by late October before proceeding, hoping to begin issuing ID cards in 2012, barring any unforeseen circumstances.

In a letter to the council urging passage of the measure, a city council member and the mayor argued that "many Richmond residents lack the necessary forms of official identification that are required to access financial institutions, jobs, housing, and protections for the home and workplace.

These residents include immigrants, children, students, the homeless, transgender people, the indigent, the disabled, the elderly, runaway youth, and adult survivors of domestic violence.

[17] In November 2007, the board of supervisors of San Francisco voted to issue municipal ID cards to residents of the city, regardless of immigration status.

The card was originally designed to protect the estimated 10,000 to 15,000 illegal immigrants in New Haven[19] from being robbed or assaulted.

[25] With the first 100,000 ID cards free of cost, initial response to the Chicago CityKey was extremely high and successful.

[32][33] The program formally launched in December of that year through a partnership with the nonprofit La Casa de Amistad, who produce the ID cards.

[36] Criticism has been made about the fact that the program, run through a nonprofit, is not subject to government transparency laws.

Although is not an official government ID card, it facilitates access to basic community services to those who are unable to obtain other documents such as immigrants, youth, homeless persons, and those in recovery or re-entry programs.

This card is being issued by a non-profit group Angels For Action, Inc.[51] They were trained and mentored by the Latin American Legal Defense and Education Fund (LALDEF) from Mercer County,.

The Union City, NJ board of commissioners decided to enact a municipal identification program starting March 1, 2017.

The system was, in part, set up to allow residents of the city to gain identification for securing financial services (e.g. bank checking account).

[56] While any city resident could obtain a card, the mayor announced it as a way to allow city residents who lack legal immigration status in the United States to access municipal and private services and facilities that require photo identification.

The cards also provide additional benefits such as discounts on movie tickets, Broadway shows, sporting events, and YMCA memberships.

[60] At least one honorary IDNYC identification card has been issued – to Pope Francis during his September 2015 visit to New York City.

[65][66] Other Texas cities which have launched enhanced library card systems are Austin,[67] San Antonio,[68] Harris County,[69] and Dallas.

)[72] The DC One Card is a consolidated credential designed to give adults and children access to DC government facilities and programs that was designed to help the District consolidate printing ID cards and save money.

For all public school secondary students and those who request it, the card includes immediate Metro SmarTrip® capability to help them travel.