Permanent residents of Huntington Beach and their children (children must be under age 18), Huntington Beach business or property owners, City of Huntington Beach employees or currently active HBPL volunteers may obtain a library card for no charge.
Nonresidents may obtain a library card for an annual fee of $25.
How to Obtain a Library Card
- Fill out an application available at any HBPL location or download and print
one. - Bring a valid photo ID (driver's license, school or government issued card).
- Show two items (see list below) with your name and current Huntington Beach address and a photo ID.
- For minors, parental information is required. A parent or guardian (with official documentation) must be present when applying and signing for a card.
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Cards are non-transferable, and will be issued to an individual only.
No family, group, or organization cards will be issued.
Acceptable Forms of Identification
- California Drivers License
- Printed Checks from a checkbook
- Paychecks with address printed on them within the last 60 days.
- Utility bills with address printed on it within the last 60 days.
- Credit card bills within the last 60 days.
- Bills of any type that have been mailed by an institution within the last 60 days.
- Mail from a college, business or institution within the last 60 days. (No personal mail or postcards)
- Rental agreements
- Escrow papers, property tax statements or mortgage papers
- Current magazines mailed to the applicant within the last 60 days.
- Current insurance cards that have the address printed on them
- Current car registration
- Business ownership in Huntington Beach must be indicated with a current Huntington Beach business license
- Property ownership in Huntington Beach must be indicated with a current property tax assessment.
- P.O. Box, business address, or mailing addresses, personal mail are not acceptable proofs of residency.
Change of Address or Phone Number
If you have changed your address since applying for a library card, please come in and fill out a new application and bring two proofs of your new address. To update your phone number, please come in with a photo ID, a new application will not be required.
To keep records current, the library sets a 3 year expiration for resident cards and a 1 year expiration for nonresident cards. View chart of borrower types and expiration dates.
To continue library services once the card expires, bring in a photo ID and two proofs of your current address.
Unless it is time to replace the card, your current card will be reactivated.
New photo ID library cards are issued every ten years at no charge to cardholders as long as they present the current card.
If your library card is ever out of your possession, please call the library immediately.
You are responsible for all charges and materials on your card until you call the library and inform us that the card is lost.
You may replace a lost or stolen card at any HBPL location by showing a valid photo ID, proof of current address, and paying a $3.00 replacement fee.
A Media Only Card is available for no charge in lieu of a library card. This card allows nonresidents of Huntington Beach to utilize the fee-based services in the Media Center only (videos, CD's, DVD's and audiobooks). To register for a Media Only card, bring two forms of identification with at least one photo id showing that you are at least 18 years or older.
Non-Huntington Beach Residents
As noted, a permanent resident of Huntington Beach, Huntington Beach business owner, or Huntington Beach property owner may obtain a library card for free. Others who wish card privileges may obtain a card if they comply with the following:
- Apply for a card and present valid identification (as described above) in person, at a Huntington Beach Library facility.
- Pay an annual fee of $25 for a library card. Privileges remain valid for 12 months and are non-transferable.
Gift Certificates for Non-Residents Available
Give the gift of knowledge to your HB non-resident friends or family by purchasing $25 gift certificates good for one-year non-resident library cards.
To redeem this gift certificate the certificate recipient must bring in a valid photo identification AND TWO official proofs of his or her current address. Acceptable proofs include CA Drivers License or ID card, utility bills, printed checks, paychecks with address, bank statements, magazines, etc. P.O. Box NOT accepted. Gift certificates are not redeemable for cash and have no cash value.