PENTAGON VISITOR INFORMATION
 

The Pentagon is the headquarters of the Department of Defense, a military command center, and a secure facility.

Visiting the Pentagon requires all of the following:

  • Sponsor
  • Visitor Registration
  • Background check (for individuals 18 years of age or older)
  • Valid identification (government-issued, unexpired, with a photo)
  • Security screening prior to entering the building


The Pentagon Reservation HPCON level is ALPHA:

  • There are no limits on the number of meeting, event and conference attendees (space permitted).
  • Visitors are not required to complete the DD Form 3150 for entry.
  • Employees who are less than fully vaccinated are not required to complete weekly screening tests.
  • Escorts may not exceed three (3) visitors per escort.
  • Visit requests may not exceed 5 consecutive days.
 

It is the responsibility of both the visitor and sponsor to account for any additional restrictions being enforced at the time of visit. The use of teleconferences and video conferences to conduct official business with Pentagon personnel is strongly encouraged.

If there are any questions concerning these restrictions or if you have your visit has been denied, please contact the PFPA Security Services Division (Visitor Management and Credentialing Branches) at 703-697-9327.

Information related to the impact of COVID-19 on PFPA-protected facilities can be found here: https://www.whs.mil/COVID-19. Click on “Facilities Update” located at the bottom left side of the page.


Visitor Registration Requirement

  • ALL visitors must be registered by their sponsor prior to their visit. Walk-up visitors are not being processed and will be denied entry. This requirement extends to family and personal guests. Sponsors can register a visitor, by visiting: https://visitorsponsor.pfpa.mil (CAC enabled).
  • More information for sponsors can be found here: https://extranet.pfpa.mil/visit.html (CAC enabled).
  • Visiting DoD civilians and military personnel with a current CAC and are not permanently assigned to a PFPA-protected facility are required to be registered by a Sponsor.
  • Intelligence Community (IC) personnel with a U.S. government “blue badge” are not required to be registered, but are required to swipe in using IC-badge readers at designated entry points.
  • Visitors will not be allowed access during weekends, holidays, and after-hours unless they have been registered.
  • All visitors require a sponsor for entry into the building.

Pentagon Tours

Official Pentagon tours are provided by the Office of the Secretary of Defense (OSD) Public Affairs Office. Please visit https://www.defense.gov/Pentagon-Tours/Request-A-Tour/ for more information.


IMPORTANT:
  • Tours are limited to U.S. Persons ONLY.
    U.S. Person: United States citizen or alien admitted for permanent residence in the United States (22 U.S.C. 6010).
  • No electronic devices are permitted on Pentagon tours. You must leave all electronic devices before entering the facilities. Prohibited devices include but are not limited to: cell phones, smartwatches, tablets, laptops, gaming devices, cameras, storage devices/flash drives, scanners, headphones, virtual reality devices, transmitters and GPS devices.
  • It is the responsibility of the tour member to account for any Health Protection or Force Protection restrictions in place.

Sponsors and Visitors

A sponsor is a DoD employee or contractor with an active DoD Common Access Card (CAC) who has swipe access into the Pentagon and escort privileges.

A Pentagon visitor is:
  • Anyone without authorized access to the Pentagon
  • Government and DoD employee or card holder who does not have access to the Pentagon
  • Pentagon tour participants

Visitor Entrance Location and Operating Hours
 
  • The Pentagon Visitor Entrance is located adjacent to the Pentagon Metro Entrance.
  • Pentagon Visitor Entrance hours: Monday - Friday, 6 a.m. to 4 p.m.
  • Visitors who require an escort prior to 6 a.m. or after 4 p.m. and are not pre-registered will be unable to access the Pentagon.
  • On weekends, holidays, and after hours (4 p.m. to 6 a.m.), DoD badge holders and approved visitors on the Visitor Access Roster must enter the building through the Corridor 2 entrance.

Forms of Identification Acceptable ID poster

All visitors 18 years of age or older will be required to present a valid government-issued photo identification or passport on the day of the visit. For a list of valid forms of identification needed for Pentagon access, visit the following link: Acceptable ID List

Note: Visitors 17 years of age and under require no identification when accompanied by an adult with a Pentagon building pass or valid form of identification.


Prohibited Items

Prohibited items include, but are not limited to:
  • All animals, except service animals for persons with disabilities
  • Explosives, weapons, and alcohol
  • Bladed, edged, or sharp weapons; knives with blades 2.5 inches in length or longer
  • Bicycles, motorcycles, scooters, tricycles, or any other self-propelled or motor-powered personal transport (e.g., Segway). This criterion does not include medical mobility equipment.
  • Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (Drones)
  • Oleoresin capsicum (OC) (“pepper spray”), if more than 1 ounce (28 grams)
The use of cameras or other visual recording devices on the Pentagon Reservation is prohibited.

Contact Information

Pentagon Pass Office (703-695-2266)
Mark Center Pass Office (571-372-5663)

Hours of operation (Pentagon Pass Office):
  • 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., Mon, Tues, Thurs, Fr
  • 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m., Wednesday
Hours of operation (Mark Center Pass Office)
7 a.m. to 3 p.m., Mon - Fri


Parking Offices - Pentagon: 703-697-6251, Mark Center: 571-372-7100 or 7144.
Special Accommodations - Scooters: 703-693-3683, Wheel Chairs: 703-697-7351

 

Visitor Frequently Asked Questions

How will I be notified if I have been approved to enter the building?
Once a visit request is approved, the visitor and sponsor will both receive an e-mail of the approval.  If a visit request is denied, only the sponsor will be notified.


What identification do I need to bring?
All pre-registered visitors must bring an appropriate government-issued identification card or passport on the day of the visit.  A list of what constitutes appropriate government-issued identification is included here: Acceptable ID List


If approved, where do I go when I arrive at the Pentagon?
Unless specified otherwise, visitors should proceed to the Pentagon Visitor Entrance, which is adjacent to the Pentagon Metro.


If I was denied entry to the building, can I appeal?
Yes, a visitor who is denied access can request an appointment to appeal the decision by calling the Pentagon Pass Office at 703-695-2266 between 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., Monday – Friday. The appeal request must be made within three business days of the access denial notice. There is no guarantee that we can complete an adjudication by the date of the visit. There are no same-day appeals for walk-in visitors.


Does taking a Pentagon Tour require the same preregistration process?
No. However, you must have a confirmed reservation for a Pentagon tour to access the Pentagon. Official Pentagon tours are requested through the Pentagon Tour Office website: https://www.defense.gov/Pentagon-Tours/Request-A-Tour/


I’m a DoD CAC holder without swipe access to the Pentagon. Do I still need a sponsor to access the Pentagon?
Yes.  Anyone who does not have electronic swipe access into the Pentagon is considered a visitor.  All visitors are required to be registered by a sponsor through the PFPA visitor sponsor portal (https://visitorsponsor.pfpa.mil/invite/).  Unescorted access may be given to Active Duty Military, DoD Civilians, and personnel who are on a Special Access Roster.  More information regarding Special Access Roster can be found here:  https://extranet.pfpa.mil/visit.html under “Unescorted Visitor Access.”