> ## Content Index > Fetch the complete content index at: https://www.whiteroseintelligence.com/llms.txt > Use this file to discover other available public pages before exploring further. # Excelsior Pass - URL: https://www.whiteroseintelligence.com/excelsior-pass/ - Published: 1999-01-02T15:53:00.000Z - Updated: 2025-06-10T02:08:58.000Z - Author: Liam Sturgess - Tags: Profiles, #docs, #software The **Excelsior Pass** is an American vaccine passport program in operation in the [State of New York](https://www.whiteroseintelligence.com/Government-of-the-State-of-New-York). It it officially described as a “secure, digital proof of [COVID-19 vaccination](https://www.whiteroseintelligence.com/COVID-19-vaccine) or negative test results.”[\[1\]](#fn1) It was developed in partnership with IBM, built on top of their IBM Digital Health Pass.[\[2\]](#fn2)[\[3\]](#fn3) ## History Work on what became the Excelsior Pass began in September 2019.[\[4\]](#fn4) New York Governor Andrew Cuomo first announced the Excelsior Pass during his 2021 “State of the State” address on January 10, 2021.[\[2:1\]](#fn2) On March 2, 2021, Cuomo announced the launch of a pilot program to test out the new passport program at Madison Square Garden and Barclays Center.[\[2:2\]](#fn2) The app was then officially launched to the wider public on March 26, 2021.[\[5\]](#fn5) A three-year development contract for the application was signed between the New York State Office of Information Technology Services and IBM on June 24, 2021.[\[6\]](#fn6) The *[New York Times](https://www.whiteroseintelligence.com/New-York-Times)* reported that the true cost of the project was much higher than originally proposed, for a likely total of $17 million over three years. Further, the outlet revealed that the Excelsior Pass was designed to contain more personal information than just vaccine status, including other health data and driver's license.[\[7\]](#fn7) A followup report increased the estimate to $27 million.[\[8\]](#fn8) On August 5, 2021, Cuomo announced the introduction of the “Excelsior Pass Plus” which would expand the program into other states and internationally.[\[9\]](#fn9) The expansion connected the Excelsior Pass to the [SMART Health Card](https://www.whiteroseintelligence.com/SMART-Health-Card) framework developed by the Vaccination Credential Initiative (VCI), and VeriFLY by Daon.[\[10\]](#fn10) New York City began enforcing its mandatory COVID-19 vaccination policy for indoor businesses on September 13, 2021.[\[11\]](#fn11) On May 14, 2023, the *Times Union* reported that the cost of the project had reached $64 million, which included payments to IBM and two consultants on the project, [Boston Consulting Group](https://www.whiteroseintelligence.com/Boston-Consulting-Group) (BCG) and [Deloitte](https://www.whiteroseintelligence.com/Deloitte).[\[4:1\]](#fn4) ## Functions The Excelsior Pass initially offered three different types of pass:[\[1:1\]](#fn1) - COVID-19 Vaccination Pass (valid for 180 days after the final dose of the vaccine was administered, at which time a new Pass may be retrieved) - COVID-19 PCR Test Pass (valid until midnight on the third day after a test) - COVID-19 Antigen Test Pass (valid for 6 hours from the time of a test) ## External links - [Campfire Wiki](https://www.campfire.wiki/doku.php?id=excelsior%5Fpass) - [Website](https://covid19vaccine.health.ny.gov/excelsior-pass-plus) --- 1. *Excelsior Pass Frequently Asked Questions.* New York Forward. Retrieved April 21, 2021, from [↩︎](#fnref1) [↩︎](#fnref1:1) 2. *Governor Cuomo Announces Pilot Program Testing the Excelsior Pass at Madison Square Garden and Barclays Center.* (2021, March 2). Governor of New York. [↩︎](#fnref2) [↩︎](#fnref2:1) [↩︎](#fnref2:2) 3. LaFleche, S. (2021, March 25). *Digital Solutions Help Support New York State with Reopening Plans.* IBM Newsroom. [↩︎](#fnref3) 4. Solomon, J. (2023, May 14). *Excelsior Pass ballooned to $64 million and keeps rising.* Times Union. [↩︎](#fnref4) [↩︎](#fnref4:1) 5. *Governor Cuomo Announces Launch of Excelsior Pass to Help Fast-Track Reopening of Businesses and Entertainment Venues Statewide.* (2021, March 26). Governor of New York. [↩︎](#fnref5) 6. Cahn, A. (2021, August 18). *Excelsior Pass Contract.* S.T.O.P. - the Surveillance Technology Oversight Project. [↩︎](#fnref6) 7. Otterman, S. (2021, June 9). *New York’s Vaccine Passport Could Cost Taxpayers $17 Million.* The New York Times. [↩︎](#fnref7) 8. Otterman, S. (2021, August 19). *New York’s “Excelsior Pass” could cost up to $27 million.* The New York Times. [↩︎](#fnref8) 9. *Excelsior Pass Plus to be recognized out of state, internationally.* (2021, August 5). WGRZ. [↩︎](#fnref9) 10. *Governor Cuomo Announces Launch of Excelsior Pass Plus to Support the Safe, Secure Return of Tourism and Business Travel.* (2021, August 5). Governor Andrew M. Cuomo. [↩︎](#fnref10) 11. Duggan, K. (2021, September 12). *NYC begins enforcing COVID-19 vaccine mandate for indoor businesses Monday. Here’s what you need to know.* AmNewYork. [↩︎](#fnref11)