JOINT BASE ANACOSTIA-BOLLING, Washington, D.C. –
Visitors to all U.S. military installations, including Joint Base Anacostia-Bolling, will need to present a REAL ID-compliant form of identification for access beginning May 7, 2025 as part of a nation-wide effort to enhance security and standardize identification requirements across federal facilities.
REAL ID is a federal security credential added to state-issued driver's licenses and identification cards, marked by a gold star in the upper-right hand corner. Once in effect, base security will no longer accept state-issued identification cards from visitors that do not meet the new federal security standards established by the REAL ID Act.
This requirement does not apply to military and base personnel who already possess a military ID, military dependent ID, a Common Access Card or a federal government-issued Personal Identity Verification Card.
Individuals seeking unescorted access to the installation—meaning they may enter and move about the base without a sponsor present—must provide an acceptable form of identification and be screened to verify their purpose and eligibility.
Acceptable credentials and source identity documents must meet the following criteria:
- Be original and unexpired
- Not contain markings such as “Not Valid for Federal Purposes,” “Not For Use as Federal Identification,” “Federal Limits May Apply,” or similar phrases
- If issued as a driver’s license or non-driver identification card by a U.S. state, territory, possession, or the District of Columbia, be compliant with the REAL ID Act of 2005
Individuals with an expiring Defense Biometric Identification System (DBIDS) credential who do not possess a REAL ID-compliant form of identification at the time of renewal may obtain a one-time, 30-day temporary pass from the Joint Visitor Center. A REAL ID-compliant credential will be required once that 30-day period ends for continued unescorted access.
Escorted access may be granted to co-travelers of individuals with escort authority who provide valid, current state- or federally issued photo identification and are not foreign nationals. Personnel with escort authority may vouch for co-travelers under the age of 18 that do not possess a valid photo ID card. Escorted Access is suspended daily from 8 p.m. to 5 a.m.; all visitors during this time frame will require a base pass.
Guests attending special events who have been sponsored by an individual with escort authority and placed on the Base Access List, but who lack REAL ID-compliant identification, must undergo a criminal background check at the installation access control point before being permitted to access the base.
Foreign nationals on unofficial visits must coordinate with the JVC at least 30-days prior to the visit in order to be vetted by the Air Force Office of Special Investigation (AFOSI).
The
JVC, located at 256 McGuire Ave, is open from 5 a.m. to 4 p.m., Monday through Friday. Closed for all Federal Holidays and Family Days. For full base access information, visit
https://www.jbab.jb.mil/About/Visitors-Base-Access. For questions, contact the JVC at (202) 284-3555 or 11SFS.Visitor.ControlCenter@us.af.mil.
Visit
https://www.dhs.gov/real-id/about-real-id to learn more about REAL ID.