Is your organization vulnerable to a massive security breach? If you don’t implement and keep track of ID card expiration dates, you could be open to security breaches.

Unauthorized people may be walking into your facilities using previously legitimate ID cards. This is a fundamental consequence of human psychology: Your staff will not think twice about seeing official credentials.

From club memberships to student cards, you may have wondered–why do ID cards expire? They do so to prevent security breaches and ensure that only those with verifiable identification can access sensitive areas on your property.

This guide will show you how to implement expiration dates for identification in your organization. 

Our staff at CustomLanyard.net has helped thousands of businesses, including Nike, Google, and Yelp, create custom ID cards that enhance security and provide branding opportunities. To learn more, contact our team or use our easy online tool to mock up new cards for your organization.

The Role of ID Cards

Why do ID cards expire? To understand that, it’s essential to take a step back and look at the role identification plays in your organization.

So, how do ID cards work?

ID cards are your first line of defense to ensure proper access to your facilities. They contain vital information about the wearer, including their name, a photo, an ID number, QR codes, and barcodes.

This allows other staff members, visitors, and customers to quickly verify someone’s presence on your property–and act accordingly if something is amiss.

Many ID cards are made from durable materials like PVC or PET plastics, ensuring they last for years. While durability is a significant advantage, it has a minor drawback: without implementing expiration dates on ID cards, your organization could be vulnerable to breaches.

Think about it–if you never replace your cards, someone from decades ago could use their old ID card to access sensitive areas. This is even more likely if you aren’t adding additional security features like photos, ID numbers, and barcodes to your cards.

Do ID Cards Expire?


Security is paramount to the success and safety of every organization.

However, if you ask many leaders about their ID card expiration dates, you will be met with silence.

Adding expiration dates is a must. Every company has sensitive locations that should contain limited access, whether it be a student library or the network servers of a major hospital.

Types of ID Cards That Expire

While not every organization in these categories implements expiration dates, these are the primary places where you will find ID cards with a time limit.

Employee ID Cards

Workplace security is nothing without ID cards. Employee IDs typically expire every 1 to 3 years to adapt to turnover. For this reason, regular renewal is a must. Otherwise, an employee who now works for a competitor can walk into your doors without much fuss.

Student ID Cards

Students in both K-12 and college settings need ID cards to ensure safety on campus. Many campus resources like libraries, gyms, and lunchrooms should also be ID-only to ensure no unauthorized access.

When do ID cards expire for students? Typically, K-12 students get a new one each year, while college students should be updated each semester.

Membership Cards

Membership-based facilities like gyms, country clubs, and golf courses should also implement ID card expiration dates. These should be updated for each renewal period, usually semiannually or annually.

Keeping current photos ensures that no one accesses high-demand facilities for free.

Temporary Access Cards

Temporary access is essential for vendors and visitors, and ID card expiration dates are crucial in this area.

Visitor passes should expire every 24 hours. Contractor or event employees can last for the duration of a project but shouldn’t last a moment longer. If they need to be on your property longer, you can always issue a new ID.

Types of ID Cards That Don’t Technically Expire

Some ID cards don’t usually expire, whether because of organizational policy or the nature of the identification itself.

Lifetime passes for customers are an example. Some internal department IDs (e.g., those meant for employees to identify one another) may also count.

However, even without a set expiration date, it is crucial to update these IDs. Creating new designs on a semiannual or annual rotation can ensure these access cards aren’t easily replicated or spoofed.

Why Do ID Cards Expire?

Why are ID card expiration dates so vital? ID cards ensure maximum security for your facilities, with minimal disruption to your employees or customers.

Without expiration, these ID cards could be abused, luring your company into a false sense of security that can turn disastrous.

Security and Access Control

When do ID cards expire? Did you know that for many organizations, the answer is never?

Ex-employees, one-time visitors, and even customers can waltz onto your property without fuss.

The potential security risks are too long to count: access to sensitive data, the potential for violence, and unauthorized users taking advantage of your facilities for free. Expiration dates ensure that if someone is in a sensitive area, they are supposed to be there.

Technology Upgrades and Compatibility

The world of organizational security is a constant arms race. As new technology emerges, bad actors find new ways to exploit your organization’s goodwill. That requires your company to implement new types of encryption, scanning systems, and software updates to keep them out.

Expiration dates ensure your company stays current. Even something as simple as changing an ID card’s size in inches may be necessary to adapt to a newer, safer security system.

Photo and Personal Information Updates

People change over the years. Your employees or visitors may look drastically different even within five years, and their ID cards may no longer accurately represent them.

It is functionally useless if you can’t quickly identify an employee by their card. To ensure safety, you can implement ID card expiration dates to obtain new photos and update personal information, such as name changes.

Encouraging Renewals and Membership Continuity

ID card expiration dates have a positive effect on revenue. Regular expirations can encourage renewals, as customers must swap out their old IDs. This natural touchpoint can also help your organization gather feedback to enhance customer experience.

When Do ID Cards Expire?


You understand why ID card expiration dates are important, leading to the question: When do ID cards expire? The answer varies depending on your industry and intended use, ranging from a few hours to a few years.

Industry-Specific Expiration Periods

Corporate and business IDs typically are replaced every 1 to 3 years for employees. C-suite employees should be annual or semi-annual for further security. Contractors and temporary employees should only have their ID cards through their project period, with frequent updates every 3 to 6 months.

K-12 students should have annual updates, while college students should be updated each semester. Faculty IDs should have a standard 1- to 3-year expiration date unless additional access requirements exist.

Government facilities may have more stringent requirements. For example, military IDs need frequent replacements with less wiggle room for expiration.

Other use cases, such as memberships, should expire at the end of the customer’s subscription or annually.

Signs That an ID Card Needs to Be Replaced

Most ID card expiration dates cover replacements, but sometimes, you’ll need a new one beforehand. Physical damage to the card, such as delamination, faded texts, and damaged barcodes or smart chips, will require replacement.

A new ID card should accompany information updates like promotions, transfers, and name changes.

Navigating ID Card Expiration and Replacement


Often, the reason ID cards remain problematic isn’t malicious–it’s because the organization and/or cardholders consider the entire process a hassle.

But with the proper process, you can streamline renewals and replacements while properly disposing of expired cards.

How to Renew an Expired ID Card

Your organization needs to implement a system for handling renewals. This system can include automated notifications to ensure cardholders know your policies. You should also collect updated photos and keep detailed documents outlining the process.

The easier you make the process for your cardholders, the less likely you will have expired cards.

Preventing Disruptions Due to Expired Cards

Implement your card process far in advance. Notify all cardholders multiple times, usually in 30-day intervals starting three months in advance. This gives you time to order new cards, collect information, and distribute them accordingly.

You can add a small grace period for some ID cards, but we recommend only doing so if you’re waiting on a new shipment of ID cards for safety purposes.

Proper Disposal of Expired ID Cards

Knowing how to dispose of ID cards can help prevent a common safety breach–old employees, visitors, and members using expired cards to access your facilities.

First, make sure you collect old cards when distributing new ones. The only exception is if a card is lost, which should be documented thoroughly and added to your security software.

Deactivate all electronic access and shred the cards. Note the disposal in your records to prevent future forgeries.

From there, the only thing left is to ensure you have the best possible replacements for your ID cards. Thankfully, that’s also the easiest part of the process–you can find those cards here at CustomLanyard.net!

Why CustomLanyard.net is the #1 ID Card Provider Online

If you’re ready to take control of organizational security, you’ll need custom ID cards packed with the latest features.

Companies, schools, and clubs worldwide have trusted our team at CustomLanyard.net to handle this crucial task. We are the #1 provider of custom PVC cards on the internet, offering professional-grade security features and eye-catching designs with immense branding potential.

Using our online design tool is easy. You can choose from several design options, such as card thickness, orientation, hole style, and finish. You can add your logo, barcodes, magnetic stripes, and other design features.

We also make it easy to pair with custom badge holders and lanyards to make the entire process easy for your cardholders.

While you can create everything yourself, you can consult our design team. We can walk you through each process step, ensuring you get your desired design.

If you’re concerned with how much ID cards cost, leave your worries behind when you shop with us. We offer competitive bulk pricing to ensure you get the best deal and speedy shipping to ensure your products arrive well before their expiration dates.

Parting Thoughts on ID Card Expiration

Security is vital to your organization. ID cards allow you to control access to your facilities, which has far-reaching consequences. From monetary loss from old guests using your amenities to bad actors becoming violent on your property, you don’t want to take ID card expiration dates lightly.

Renewing ID cards for your employees, visitors, and vendors should be done as soon as possible. It can be done as quickly as 24 hours for visitors or up to 3 years for long-term employees.

Updating ID cards regularly helps you keep up with the times and implement new technological features, ensuring everyone remains safe.

When you’re ready to usher in new ID cards, one company goes above and beyond for your business: CustomLanyard.net.

We’ve been helping companies worldwide for over a decade, providing customizable products that are durable, eye-catching, and secure products. Plus, with our convenient online tool, you can design your new ID cards from the comfort of your office or hop on the phone with our team for assistance.

It’s all right here on our website. Don’t delay this crucial security upgrade; check out our online store today!