JOINid to UTORid

As you prepare to begin studies at U of T, we are now providing further instruction on how to convert your JOINid to a UTORid, which will allow you to access additional services such as email, library resources, and Quercus, and the practicum PAS platform.

While the TCard office website provides information on how to do this, we have prepared FIFSW specific instructions for students new to the University of Toronto.

Students beginning their programs must wait until May 1st to finish the process of getting the UTORid. But here are many things you can do beforehand to be ready.

Those in the MSW Advanced Standing program will require their activated UTORid in order to Login into the PAS and submit Form A by 8:59 am on May 8th, so you are encouraged to begin this process well before May 1.

Questions specific to the process should be directed to the TCard Office.

On this page:

Before May 1st

  • Step 1. Enable your JOINid
  • Step 2. Confirm required documentation
  • Step 3.  Check your name
  • Step 4. Prepare your photo and documentation
 As of May 1st

  • Step 5. Submit photo and documentation online
  • Step 6. Check your email
  • Step 7. Activate your UTORid
  • Step 8. Update your email address
 After arriving on campus

  • Step 9. Pick up your TCard

For returning U of T students

Before May 1st :

Step 1. Enable your JOINid

When you submitted your application to the program, you were assigned this JOINid by email from SGS. This was also emailed to you from the FIFSW in late April. If you have misplaced those emails contact registrar.fifsw@utoronto.ca.

Your JOINid will not work until you enable it. If you have not yet done so, below are instructions for enabling the JOINid. Please read the instructions carefully.

  • Go to the Enable Your JOINid website.
  • Enter your JOINid in the JOINid box.
  • Enter your U of T Student Number into the “applicant/student number” box, and then click “Continue.”  Please note: do not enter your applicant number.
  • When prompted, enter your date of birth.

If you have trouble enabling your JOINid, please contact admissions.sgs@utoronto.ca.

If you lose your JOINid password, you can use the enabling site to change your password; simply repeat the enabling process. Please note that updates to passwords can take 24 hours to roll over in the system. If you are unable to reset your password using the enabling site, please call 416-978-HELP, or email help.desk@utoronto.ca  to reset your password. Please specify up front that you have already enabled your JOINid.

Step 2. Confirm required documentation

Visit the Documentation Tool to help determine what you will need to proceed.

Step 3.  Check your name

The University of Toronto has a way for students to have their first name changed on their academic records and ACORN. If you use a different name than the one indicated on your photo ID and legal status documentation complete the Name / Gender Change form from the School of Continuing Studies site.

Step 4. Prepare your photo and documentation

Submissions with incomplete documentation or photos that do not meet the guidelines will (i) result in additional processing delays and (ii) require you to resubmit your photo and documentation, so it is important that you ensure that they meet the following requirements:

  • Photo and document files must be in JPEG, PNG or GIF.
  • Photo must show you from shoulder to above your head, with face looking at camera. It’s OK to smile!
  • Photo must be in colour with no other objects or people present.
  • Photo must represent your current appearance (no facial enhancements or pictures of pictures) and resemble image on identity/legal status documentation.
  • Identity/legal status documentation must be in colour and unexpired.
  • Hair coverings worn for medical or religious reasons are allowed but your full face must be visible in your TCard photo. Individuals must also present valid government-issued photo documentation with full face visible (religious hair covering is okay). Individuals who wear a face covering who prefer to have their full face photo taken and documentation validated privately by a staff person the student feels comfortable with, can email the TCard office(opens in a new tab) on their campus to make this request. Photos submitted online cannot be guaranteed to be viewed by specific staff members. Please refer to the Notice of Collection in the TCard Terms & Conditions(opens in a new tab) for information on how the TCard photo is used.  If you have any concerns, please contact the Assistant Director, TCard Services.

Photos that have been altered or enhanced will not be accepted

Beginning May 1st you can complete the next step:

Step 5. Submit photo and documentation online

Log into the portal using your JOINid and password you established from Step 1.

Upload the required documents

Step 6. Check your email

Approval of your photo documentation submission will be sent to the email listed in your record in ACORN (eg. the email from which you received this email).

Soon after receiving your photo approval email, you will receive an email with instructions on how to activate your UTORid, using your Secret Activation Key (SAK). This is the only place that will have your SAK so it is important to keep this email.

Newly admitted students receive their SAK via email after their photo & documentation has been approved.

  • The SAK email will be sent to the email address listed in ACORN, unless you provided an alternate email during the submission process.
  • The email will come from a U of T email address: infosec@utoronto.ca. The subject line will be “Activate Your U of T UTORid“.
  • If your JOINid has stopped working AND you haven’t received your SAK email, check your junk and spam folder.
  • The email contains a SAK and a link to activate your UTORid.

Note: Once you receive your SAK email, your JOINid and its associated password will no longer work.

Step 7. Activate your UTORid

Use your SAK to activate your UTORid:

Step 8. Update your email address

To ensure you continue to receive emails from FIFSW and the University, please update the following with your new UTmail+ address

After you arrive on campus:

Step 9. Pick up your TCard

Drop by the TCard Office to pick up your TCard. Check our office operating hours and confirm what documentation you require, prior to your visit.

If, for disability-related reasons, you will have difficulty waiting or standing in a line-up, let TCard staff know when you arrive.

Returning U of T students

If you need a replacement TCard, visit Replace your TCard.

If you’ve been absent from the University for two or more years, you’ll need to have a new photo taken and provide legal status documentation.

If you have already have an active UTORid you should be all set. However, do check that it is the same as your new one.  If it is different and you would like to keep your old one, contact admissions.sgs@utoronto.ca.