311, IDNYC and how the City works
Where to start in New York: the 311 information line, the free IDNYC card, City help for immigrants and the garbage rules.
Start here
- IDNYC is the free City ID card for all residents age 10 and up. Nobody asks about immigration status.
- Ask 311 almost anything about City services: in the app, on 311 Online (portal.311.nyc.gov) or by texting 311-692, 24/7.
- The City's Immigration Legal Support Hotline, 800-354-0365, tells you where to find free immigration legal help. Say "Russian": the line helps in your language.
311 answers questions about City services and takes complaints about almost anything, from heat to garbage. It works 24/7, every day of the year.
Pick the easiest way
The 311 app or 311 Online (portal.311.nyc.gov) is simplest, and you can text a short question to 311-692. You can switch 311 Online to Russian in the language menu at the top right. For a live interpreter, call 311 and say “Russian”.
Ways to reach 311
| What to know | |
|---|---|
| App and website | The 311 app and 311 Online, in more than 50 languages. 311 does not answer email or instant messages. |
| Text | Text 311-692. |
| Call 311 | From a phone in New York City; say “Russian” and a free interpreter joins (interpreters in 175 languages); a local-call charge may apply. |
| From outside the city or an internet phone | 212-639-9675; say "Russian" and a free interpreter joins. |
| For deaf and hard-of-hearing callers | TTY (text telephone): (212) 504-4115. |
New York City's municipal ID card, free for all residents age 10 and up. Nobody asks about immigration status. It is not the same as a New York State ID, which the DMV (the state driver and ID office) issues.
Check that you qualify
The card is for city residents age 10 and up. It is valid for five years from approval if you are 16 or older, two years if younger.
Gather documents worth 4 points
You need 3 points proving who you are and 1 point proving you live in New York City. At least one document must have your photo and at least one your date of birth. Only originals are accepted; expired documents count only where the list makes an exception. Children ages 10 to 13 must come with a caretaker. The Document Calculator on the IDNYC site shows which of your documents count. If you have no address, use a letter from a shelter that lets residents stay more than 30 days (dated within 60 days, confirming a 15-day stay) or from a City agency, nonprofit or religious organization (dated within 30 days).
Start the application online and book a time
On the IDNYC portal (available in Russian) you can fill out the application ahead of time, select the documents you will bring, book or change an appointment and check your status. New appointments open every Friday for the following Monday to Friday. One appointment per person.
Or walk in
Five locations take walk-ins, first come, first served, each on its own day of the week. Everywhere else you need an appointment.
Apply at the visit and wait for the card
You will be photographed and your originals returned on the spot. The card is mailed to you in 10 to 14 business days; IDNYC does not take applications by mail. If you have no address or don't want it on the card, pick the card up at Brooklyn Public Library, Queens Jamaica Public Library, IDNYC Union Square (Manhattan), the Bronx Department of Finance or IDNYC Staten Island.
How many points a document is worth for IDNYC
| Examples | |
|---|---|
| Identity, 3 points | A machine-readable foreign passport; a current U.S. work permit; an I-94 form with photo and fingerprints; a green card |
| Identity, 2 points | A visa issued by the U.S. State Department; a consular ID card; a foreign passport that is not machine readable; an Approval Notice on Form I-797 from USCIS, the federal immigration agency |
| Identity, 1 point | A Notice to Appear (Form I-862) from ICE, the federal immigration enforcement agency; a foreign birth certificate; a foreign national ID card that is not machine readable |
| Residency, 1 point | A lease or sublease; a phone, utility or bank statement dated within 60 days; a pay stub dated within 60 days |
| Residency if you have no address, 1 point | A letter from a New York City shelter that confirms a stay of 15 days, or from a City agency, nonprofit or religious organization that serves people without housing |
IDNYC Staten Island (Mondays)
Free
Walk-ins on Mondays, first come, first served.
IDNYC East New York (Tuesdays)
Free
Walk-ins on Tuesdays, first come, first served.
IDNYC Bronx Monterey (Wednesdays)
Free
Walk-ins on Wednesdays, first come, first served.
IDNYC Manhattan Union Square (Thursdays)
Free
Walk-ins on Thursdays, first come, first served.
IDNYC at Queens Public Library at Central (Fridays)
Free
Walk-ins on Fridays, first come, first served.
ID across the city
Free
City agencies and offices accept the card. You can show it as ID to the police (NYPD), for a job, for health benefits and to get your own and your child's immunization records.
Discounts and free memberships
Free
Free or reduced membership at museums, zoos and botanical gardens, plus discounts on prescriptions, fitness, groceries and New York City attractions.
Languages and accessibility
Free
Applications come in 35 languages, and staff help in your language in person or through a phone interpreter. You can list up to two preferred languages on the card. All permanent enrollment centers are wheelchair accessible; a sign language interpreter can be requested in advance.
For advice on your own case, go only to a licensed attorney or an accredited representative: a staff member of a recognized nonprofit whom the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) has authorized to give immigration legal advice.
Mayor's Office of Immigrant Affairs (MOIA): NYC Immigrant Affairs Hotline
Free
The Mayor's office for immigrants answers questions about getting City services, whatever your immigration status. You can email your question to AskMOIA@cityhall.nyc.gov.
MOIA Immigration Legal Support Hotline
Free
A free, safe, City-funded line that answers questions about immigration policy and tells you where to find free immigration legal help. Say "Russian": the line helps in your language.
Know Your Rights and the Immigrant Resource Road Map
Free
At nyc.gov/knowyourrights the City explains your rights if you meet federal immigration enforcement, and says that New York City does not conduct immigration enforcement. The Immigrant Resource Road Map, a short guide to City services, can be downloaded in 50 languages.
NYC Health + Hospitals
The City's public hospitals and clinics: emergency and basic care, check-ups, immunizations. Find the nearest hospital or clinic at nychealthandhospitals.org/locations. On the phone, say "Russian" and a free interpreter joins.
Mental health support: 988
Free
A free, confidential line for crisis counseling, mental health and substance-use support, and referrals. Call, text or chat 24/7; phone counselors help in more than 200 languages; no insurance needed. The City's line: 888-692-9355, or text WELL to 65173.
Housing and your landlord: the tenant helpline
Free
Tenant rights are explained at nyc.gov/tenantprotection. For free legal help with an eviction or a landlord problem, call 311, say “Russian”, and when the interpreter joins, ask for the tenant helpline.
The right to shelter
Free
If you have nowhere to live, you have the right to ask for shelter. Go to an intake center of DHS, the City shelter agency.
Workers' rights
Free
Under City and State law you have a right to paid sick leave, minimum wage and overtime pay. Details at nyc.gov/workers. To ask by phone, call 311 and say "Russian".
Discrimination and harassment
Free
Harassment and discrimination are illegal under the NYC Human Rights Law. Report an incident online through the form of the City Commission on Human Rights: nyc.gov/site/cchr/about/report-discrimination.page.
Domestic violence
Free
If you are experiencing abuse at home or from a partner, go to a City Family Justice Center (addresses at nyc.gov/ocdv): they interpret on site and help whatever your status. The 24/7 hotline, 800-621-4673, is in English; TTY for deaf and hard-of-hearing people: 866-604-5350. If you are in danger right now, call 911.
School for children ages 4 to 21
Free
All New York City children ages 4 to 21 have the right to attend public school. Enroll through schools.nyc.gov/fwc.
Garbage is collected by DSNY, a City agency. Weekly collection is free, but the rules are strict and breaking them brings fines.
Sort your waste
Recycling is required of everyone. Food and yard waste goes separately, in a labeled bin with a secure lid, 55 gallons or smaller.
Use the right containers
Trash goes out in bins of 55 gallons or less with secure lids. Buildings with 1 to 9 apartments must use official NYC Bins only. Buildings with 10 or more apartments may use bins or put bags directly on the curb. Recycling goes out in bins or clear plastic bags.
Set it out on time
1 to 9 apartments: trash in an official NYC Bin after 6:00 PM. 10 or more apartments: bins after 6:00 PM, bags on the curb after 8:00 PM. Recycling: in a bin after 6:00 PM, in a bag after 8:00 PM. Everything must be out by midnight. Put large items out the night before.
If your waste was not collected
Report a missed pickup on 311 Online, in the 311 app or by texting 311-692, starting at 8:00 AM the day after your collection day. If collection was suspended for snow, a complaint for that day is not accepted.
- 311
- New York City's information line: open 24/7, with interpreters in 175 languages, Russian included.
- IDNYC
- The free New York City ID card for residents age 10 and up, issued regardless of immigration status.
- Borough
- One of the five parts of New York City: Manhattan, Brooklyn, Queens, the Bronx and Staten Island.
- MOIA
- Mayor's Office of Immigrant Affairs: the City office for immigrant issues.
- DSNY
- New York City Department of Sanitation: the City agency that collects garbage.
- TTY
- A text telephone for deaf and hard-of-hearing people.
- NYPD
- New York City Police Department.
- DHS
- The NYC Department of Homeless Services, the City agency responsible for shelters; not to be confused with the federal Department of Homeland Security.
This is general information, not legal advice: QARAVAN has no lawyers. QARAVAN does not help anyone enter the US and cannot arrange visas, invitations, sponsorship or evacuation. For your own case, talk to a licensed immigration attorney or a representative accredited by the U.S. Department of Justice.
Sources, checked November 2026
- nyc.gov/site/idnyc/card/how-to-apply.page
- nyc.gov/site/idnyc/about/about.page
- nyc.gov/site/immigrants/city-services/city-services-summary.page
- nyc.gov/site/immigrants/contact/contact-us.page
- nyc.gov/site/doh/health/health-topics/988.page
- nyc.gov/site/cchr/about/report-discrimination.page
- nychealthandhospitals.org/locations