On the Day of Your Tour

Important

• If you don't have a scheduled tour contact your member of Congress
• Dress for the weather, knowing you will stand in long lines outdoors before your tour.
• Arrive early - Washington, DC is a major metropolitan city and traffic can increase travel time.

 

The Red Room, 2015.

NPS / A. Garrison

Forms of Identification

All guests 18 years of age or older are required to present a valid, government-issued photo identification (detailed below). All foreign nationals must present their passport. All other forms of foreign identification will not be accepted.

All information submitted (e.g. name, date of birth, city, etc.) must exactly match the government-issued photo ID you present when arriving at the White House.

The following forms of photo ID are acceptable for presentation to United States Secret Service upon entry to the White House complex:

• Valid government-issued United States identification card (e.g. drivers license, military ID, etc.)
• Valid United States or other official government-issued passports

NO other forms of identification will be accepted; photocopies, expired IDs, or other transmissions of these documents are NOT valid.

Prohibited Items

• Video cameras, cameras with detachable lenses, tablets, iPads, tripods, monopods, & cameras sticks
• Bags of any kind (handbags, purses, book bags, backpacks, diaper bags, camera bags)
• Any pointed object, including pocket knives
• Strollers
• Food, liquids, aerosols, tobacco, products, personal grooming items (e.g. makeup, lotion, etc)
• Guns, ammunition, fireworks, electric stun guns, mace, martial arts weapons/devices, toy weapons, or knives or any kind

There are NO storage facilities available at the White House complex or the White House Visitor Center. Individuals who arrive with prohibited items will be turned away.

 

The Green Room, 2015.

NPS / A. Garrison

Permitted Items

• Compact cameras (still photography only, no video recording or streaming, lenses must be less than 3 inches long)

• Umbrellas without metal tips
• Wallets
• Cell phones (talking or texting is not permitted, still photography is allowed, please silence your phone)
• All items needed for medical purposes will be permitted (e.g. wheelchairs, electronic scooters, glucose tablets, EpiPens, medication, etc)

Mobility-Impaired / Wheelchairs

Visitors scheduled for tours who require the loan of a wheelchair should notify the officer at the Visitors Entrance upon arrival. Unfortunately, reservations are not possible. Visitors in wheelchairs, or with other mobility disabilities, use the same Visitors Entrance and are escorted by ramp from the entrance level to the Ground floor, and by elevator from the Ground floor to the State floor.

Hearing-Impaired & Visually Impaired

Please contact your Member of Congress if you have a hearing or visual impairment and require assistance during your White House tour. Guide animals are permitted in the White House.

 

Restrooms

The nearest restrooms to the White House are located in the White House Visitor Center. Restrooms and public telephones are not available in the White House.

Current Information

All visitors should call the 24-hour Visitors Office information line at 202-456-7041 to determine if any last minute changes have been made in the tour schedule.

 

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