Who Can Visit

We are excited to welcome you to the U.S. Naval Academy! There are so many ways to enjoy your time here. But first, make sure you are familiar with the access requirements to get on the Yard. For the General Public, pedestrian access is regularly allowed for general public visitation, tours and USNA special events; however, vehicle access is not allowed.

Enforcement of the REAL ID Act of 2005 to access USNA and NSA Annapolis went into effect on 07 May 2025.

1. Acceptable IDs for visitors accessing USNA through the Pedestrian Gate 1 Visitor Control Center include:
2. REAL ID Compliant Driver’s License or State ID card (look for the five point star on the driver’s license).
3. U.S. Passport and U.S. Passport card. Foreign passports are not permitted for general access.
4. Enhanced Driver’s License (MI, MN, NY, VT, WA).
5. Note: This does NOT affect access by credentialed personnel (CAC, DBIDS, Dependents, Retirees).

All persons over the age of 18 must have a valid REAL ID, Enhanced Driver's License or U.S. Passport. Visitors under the age of 18 without a valid ID must be escorted by a responsible adult with a valid ID. Prior to entering the installation, Visitors may undergo an ID and bag check and be screened through a magnetometer. 

Before your visit, please check the CNIC website for the most up-to-date requirements to access USNA and NSAA.

Real ID

(Effective May 2025) Please note that as a result of the REAL ID Act, some state/territory IDs are not sufficient for access to the Academy. Please check the Current Status of States/Territories to see if your state or territory's ID is compliant with the REAL ID Act. Drivers' licenses and state IDs from states that aren't compliant must be accompanied by an acceptable second form of ID (SSN Card, Certified Copy of a Birth Certificate, U.S. Citizen ID Card, etc.). 

Before your visit, please check the following Department of Homeland Security (DHS) website for the current list of compliant and non-compliant states and territories.