A system and method of issuing patient identification devices to patients in a self service fashion at a provider facility. The system includes a processor for obtaining first patient identification information from a patient, for retrieving second patient identification information from patient records, for positively identifying the patient by comparing the first identification information to the second identification information, for initiating a patient identification device with a code unique to the patient, for issuing the identification device to the patient, and for storing an indication that the identification device has been initiated and issued.