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GWorld Card Office

Division of Safety and Operations

Card Replacements

While you are a member of our GW community you may need to update and/or replace your card.

Replacements for physical cards are only issued in person at the GWorld Office in the University Student Center. If you are a VSTC community member, please contact our office to make other arrangements if you cannot come in-person to Foggy Bottom.

You must be a current member of the GW community to receive a replacement card. You can not have a friend or family member pick up your card or have your card mailed to you (unless you are a virtual student).

  • Expired card replacements are free provided you turn in your expiring GWorld Card.  Otherwise, there is a $25 replacement fee.
  • Replacement fees are non-refundable and will not be waived for any reason.
  • Once you replace a lost or stolen physical GWorld card, your old card is completely deactivated and can never be reactivated.
  • You may take a new photo when receiving any type of replacement card.

Card Replacement Frequently Asked Questions

I Lost my card or my card was stolen

Physical Cards

If your physical GWorld card has been lost or stolen and it is after hours suspend your card immediately.  To replace your GWorld card you must visit the GWorld Card Office to either purchase or exchange your current card for a replacement.

Android Mobile Cards

If you lost your Android device that had your mobile GWorld card stored, visit the GWorld GET Portal (Desktop) or GET Mobile App (Android) and select “I Lost My Card” to disable or re-enable your GWorld mobile card. 

Visit GWorld Mobile for Android for more details.

Apple Mobile Cards

If you lost your iPhone that had your mobile GWorld card stored, you should use Find My iPhone to suspend or deactivate your GWorld Card in Apple Wallet. Visit the Apple Support website to view instructions for Lost/Found Apple devices and Find My iPhone.

Contact the GWorld Program Office at 202-994-1795 (Monday to Friday from 9 am - 5 pm, except Wednesdays from 10 am - 5 pm) to notify the office to deactivate the card in the Apple Wallet for that device. You can also flag the iPhone lost via the GWorld Card portal and login using your GW UserID/email. 

You can reactivate a found device that was suspended via iCloud.com or contact the GWorld Office.

Visit GWorld Mobile for Apple for more details.

My Physical GWorld Card is Damaged

If your card is damaged or not working, bring it to our office so we can diagnose the issue and either restore its function or replace it for you.

If your card needs to be replaced, there is no fee when you turn in your current  damaged card. If you do not turn in the damaged card, you will be charged $25 for the replacement.

Common Issues

  • Incorrectly Programmed - Your card may not be working because it was incorrectly programmed. We will correct the issue, and you will not need a replacement card.
  • Scratched or Worn Strip and Barcode - If the magnetic strip or barcode on your card is scratched or worn, we will give you a replacement card for free when you turn in the worn-out card.
  • Dead Card Chip - The chip in your card may stop working, and if it does, we will give you a replacement card for free when you turn in the card that is not working.
  • Cards with Hole Punches - It is against our card usage guidelines to punch a hole in your card because it destroys the functionality of the card. If you punch a hole in your card you will need to pay $25 for a replacement card.
My name has changed. Can I replace or update my GWorld card? 

Chosen Name

All GW personnel (students, faculty, and staff) are eligible to have their chosen name (rather than legal first name) printed on their GWorld card. To do so, you must submit your chosen name in the GWeb system one business day prior to requesting your GWorld card. Learn more about updating your Chosen Name.

First time GWorld Cards Holders:

Update your chosen name in GWeb at least one day prior to completing your GWorld card set-up. If this is completed in time, your chosen name will be on your GWorld card.

Legal Name Change

Students: Complete a Biological Update Form outlined on the Office of the Registrar site.

Faculty and Staff: Complete the Employee Data Change Request Form (PDF)

Once your legal name has been changed in the GW system:

  • If you have a GWorld Mobile card, you should see your name changed on your mobile card in one to two business days. If the change does not occur, please contact our office for assistance.
  • If you have a physical GWorld card, visit our office in-person so we can replace your card.

Alumni, Visitors, Contractors, MFA and UHS Employees and Friends:

  • Come to the GWorld Office in person and bring your current GWorld card.
  • Present a valid U.S. government issued photo ID with your new name.
  • A new card will be issued to you for free if you turn in the card with your old name. If you do not turn in your old card, you will be charged a $25 fee.
My role at GW has changed. Can I replace or update my GWorld card?

If your role changes at the university, you will need to get a new GWorld card, view the requirements for receiving a card based on your new role at the university. This information can be found in the Get Your Card section. 

If updating a physical card:

  • Visit our office in-person. Turn in your current GWorld card to receive the new card free of charge. If you do not turn in your current card, you will be charged $25.
  • If you are switching your role at the university to Alumni or Friend of Foggy Bottom, you are required to pay the affiliated fee.

If you are using a Mobile GWorld card:

  • If your role changes between staff, faculty and/or student, your card will automatically be updated with your new affiliation within one to two business days after your new role is updated in the Banner system.
  • Graduating students who would like to transition to an alumni card, must come to the GWorld Office in-person to set-up a new physical alumni card. 
My card is about to expire or has expired. How do I replace or update my card?

Mobile GWorld cards will stop working after a GW community member departs from the university.

To update an expiring or expired a physical card:

  • Visit our office in-person before your card expires so that you do not have any access issues. Turn in your current GWorld card to receive the new card free of charge. If you do not turn in your current card, you will be charged $25.
  • Students/Staff/Faculty at the VSTC campus can email or call us before your card expires and we can have a card delivered in two to three business days. 

Before you renew your card, check to make sure that you meet the requirements: 

  • Students: You must be registered for at least one course or for continuous enrollment in the current or upcoming semester to renew your card.
  • Faculty & Staff: You must have a current employment status in the University Banner Database.
  • Alumni: We will verify your information in our GW system.
  • Visitors & Contractors: Please ask your sponsor to email us to request an extension of your card before you come to our office to renew your card. The length of the extension must be specified and cannot exceed two years.
  • MFA Employees: Please present your MFA Human Resources GWorld Renewal Letter when you come to our office to renew your card.
  • UHS Employees: Please present your UHS Human Resources GWorld Renewal Letter when you come to our office to renew your card.
I take classes and/or work at the VSTC Campus and can not visit GW’s Foggy Bottom Campus in-person. What can I do to get my physical card? 

If you are a member of the GW Virginia Science & Technology Campus and cannot come to the Foggy Bottom GWorld Card Office to issue your new/replacement card, you can request your card to be shipped to the VSTC Campus. To request a card be sent to the VSTC campus, submit your photo online, and in the pick-up instructions, select the "VSTC" option. Cards are sent every Tuesday and Thursday and are available for pickup at the Enterprise Hall lobby.