What to Put on a Medical ID Card: Complete Checklist

Published November 20, 2025

Knowing what to put on a medical ID card can be confusing. You want enough information for first responders to treat you correctly, but the card — especially a wallet-sized one — has limited space. This guide covers exactly what to include and why each piece of information matters.

Essential Information (Always Include)

1. Full Legal Name

Use your full legal name as it appears on your ID and medical records. This helps hospitals match you with your records quickly. Avoid nicknames.

2. Date of Birth

Your date of birth is used along with your name to verify your identity and locate medical records. It also helps paramedics assess age-related risk factors.

3. Blood Type

If you know your blood type (A+, A-, B+, B-, AB+, AB-, O+, O-), include it. In trauma situations, knowing your blood type can speed up transfusions. If you do not know it, ask your doctor or leave it off rather than guessing.

4. Drug Allergies

This is arguably the most critical information on your card. List all known drug allergies, especially:

Penicillin and related antibiotics — the most common drug allergy
Aspirin and NSAIDs — important for pain management decisions
Sulfa drugs — found in many antibiotics and medications
Contrast dye — used in CT scans and other imaging
Latex — affects glove and equipment choices

5. Current Medications with Dosages

List each medication with its dosage. This prevents dangerous drug interactions during treatment. Key medications to always list:

Blood thinners (Warfarin, Eliquis, Xarelto) — affects surgical and bleeding decisions
Insulin — type and dosage for diabetes management
Heart medications (beta-blockers, ACE inhibitors)
Seizure medications — sudden stopping can cause seizures

6. Medical Conditions

Include conditions that affect emergency treatment:

Diabetes (Type 1 or Type 2)
Heart disease or history of heart attack
Pacemaker or implanted defibrillator
Epilepsy or seizure disorder
Asthma or COPD
Dementia or Alzheimer's disease
Kidney disease or dialysis

7. Emergency Contacts

Include at least two emergency contacts with their name, phone number, and relationship. Choose people who:

Are likely to answer their phone
Know your complete medical history
Can make medical decisions on your behalf if needed

8. Emergency Service Numbers

For most countries this is 911 or 112. In Pakistan, include Rescue 1122, Edhi 115, and Police 15. Our card generator can pre-fill Pakistan emergency numbers automatically.

Optional but Helpful

Doctor's name and phone number for follow-up care
Health insurance information for hospital admission
Organ donor status
Do Not Resuscitate (DNR) status if applicable
Language preference if English is not your first language

Tips for Fitting Everything on a Wallet Card

Use abbreviations: "PCN" for Penicillin, "ASA" for Aspirin
List only current medications, not past ones
Use a fridge card for the full version and a wallet card for essentials
Our combined PDF option gives you both formats on one printout

Create Your Card Now

Use our free emergency card generator to create both a wallet-sized and fridge-sized card with all the information listed above. It takes under 5 minutes and your data stays completely private.