Visitor ID Requirements
Approved forms of ID required to enter NIH facilities (as of May 7, 2025):
- REAL ID Driver's License or State Identification Card or Enhanced Driver's License
- Passport or Passport Card
- HSPD-12 PIV or CAC Card
- Permanent Resident Card
- Federally Recognized, Tribal-Issued Photo ID
- Canadian Provincial Driver's License or Indian and Northern Affairs Canada Card
- USCIS Employment Authorization Card (I-766)
- Other Less Common Documents (e.g. Merchant Mariner Credential)
Age Requirements
Visitors 18 years and older must provide a valid current form of government-issued identification to obtain a visitor ID. Visitors under 18 years of age must be accompanied by an adult in accordance with the NIH Accompanied Child Visitor Policy.
REAL ID Act of 2005
The REAL ID Act of 2005 establishes minimum security standards for state-issued driver’s licenses and identification cards and prohibits federal agencies, such as NIH, from accepting for official purposes licenses and identification cards that do not meet these standards.
Under the REAL ID ACT, NIH may only accept state-issued driver’s licenses and identification cards that meet the standards required by the ACT to access our facilities. Enhanced Driver's Licenses (EDL) issued by Michigan, Minnesota, New York, Vermont, and Washington are considered acceptable alternatives to REAL ID-compliant cards and will also be accepted for official REAL ID purposes. Most EDLs do not contain the star marking and this is acceptable. The EDLs do however state they are enhanced driver’s licenses and have an American flag either overlapping the picture or at the bottom right hand corner.
Individuals who come to the NIH's Clinical Center for inpatient or outpatient services are not subject to the REAL ID Act of 2005.
Enforcement
REAL ID enforcement has been delayed until May 7, 2025.* Please visit Homeland Security's Real ID Act page for more information.
*extension does not apply to commercial vehicle operators
Additional Resources
