How to Access the Yard

To help ensure you understand how to gain access to the Naval Academy Yard (campus), this section provides comprehensive information regarding the Defense Biometric Identification System (DBIDS). Please read carefully.

Because the United States Naval Academy is an active military installation, all visitors who do not possess a Department of War (DoW) common access card or military identification must be properly vetted before entry. Naval Support Activity Annapolis (often referred to as “NSAA” or “NSA Annapolis”) is responsible for the vetting process at the U.S. Naval Academy.

Q: How do I access the yard?

• Valid CAC and DBIDS holders may walk or drive onto the yard.
• Non-CAC or DBIDS holders may:
  • Walk through Gate 1 or 8 (General Public Visitation): All persons 18 years of age and older must have a valid REAL ID-compliant credential, Enhanced Driver’s License, or U.S. Passport.
  • Be escorted by a valid CAC holder either by walking or in the car. The driver must be the holder of the CAC. CAC holders may escort up to 10 guests.
  • Apply for DBIDS, which will serve as credentials to walk or drive onto the yard.
• Non-U.S. Citizens must submit a Foreign Visit Request (see below)

Q: Will I get a DBIDS card at the VCC?

• It depends. Under a newly adopted process by NSAA, most U.S. citizens will no longer receive a separate plastic card. Instead, your valid state-issued driver's license (REAL ID Compliant) will be registered to function as your DBIDS credential and scanned directly at the gates for entry. Foreign nationals will still be issued a physical DBIDS card. This updated procedure significantly streamlines Yard access and eliminates the need for most DBIDS enrollees to manage an additional identification card.

Q: Do I need a DBIDS card if I have a Military CAC or Dependent ID?

• If you possess a valid DoW CAC (common access card) or Dependent ID—whether active duty, reserve, or retired—you do not need to obtain a DBIDS card or paper pass. Your CAC/Dependent ID serves as your authorized credential for entry onto the Yard, making DBIDS enrollment redundant for you. However, if your spouse or other family members traveling with you do not possess their own DoW(some still say DoD) CAC or dependent ID, they must enroll in DBIDS to receive DBIDS-authorized access privileges.

Q: If the Yard is open to tourists, why do I even need to enroll in DBIDS?

• Enrolling in the Defense Biometric Identification System (DBIDS) ensures that future visits to the United States Naval Academy (USNA) remain uninterrupted, even if installation security conditions change. We are thankful that the Yard is often operated under General Public Visitation (GPV) guidelines. However, please note that GPV is strictly intended for touring public areas of the Yard and is not authorized for special event access. Furthermore, if GPV is suspended in the future due to an elevated threat level, visitors without DBIDS credentials will face significant entry delays or restricted access. While it is theoretically possible to navigate your Midshipman's four-year journey without DBIDS enrollment—provided GPV remains active and you only plan to walk onto the Yard—enrolling in DBIDS is the most reliable way to guarantee access under higher security postures.
• During routine operations, DBIDS enrollment permits you to drive and park your vehicle directly on the Yard. Having vehicle access is highly beneficial for routine visits, as well as picking up and dropping off your Midshipman, especially during the winter months. Please be aware, however, that driving privileges for DBIDS holders are frequently suspended during high-volume special occasions, major athletic events, and some federal holidays.

Q: When I fill out the pre-enrollment, who is my DBIDS “sponsor?”

• Your midshipman is your sponsor. Please enter their email address and phone number. If you have their USNA email address (@usna.edu), please use that, but if you do not, please use their personal email address.

Q: How do I know if I completed DBIDS pre-enrollment?

• The confirmation page for pre-enrollment is below. Your page will also include a QR code and alphanumeric code, but that part was deliberately removed from this example.

Q: The QR code on my DBIDS pre-enrollment doesn’t work. What should I do?

• You don’t need to do anything. That QR code is for a VCC scanner, not a phone camera, so you should not expect your pre-enrollment QR code to “work” for you.

Q: My DBIDS pre-enrollment form (with the QR Code and alphanumeric code) expired, or it will expire before I can visit the VCC. Do I need to fill it out again?

• We realize the pre-enrollment form says it expires approximately 30 days after you complete the form, but the VCC can still access it for up to 90 days. As long as you visit the VCC within 3 months of completing pre-enrollment, you only need to complete it once. If you arrive at the VCC and they tell you pre-enrollment expired, you can simply pre-enroll again right there and they should still be able to process you (only slightly longer than usual).

Q: Why do I need to visit the VCC?

• All personnel enrolling in DBIDS must physically visit the Visitor Control Center (VCC) to finalize their enrollment and either link their REAL ID (U.S. Citizens) or receive their physical DBIDS card (Foreign Nationals). During this visit, security personnel will scan your REAL ID barcode and input the necessary biometric data and access permissions directly into the DBIDS database.

Q: When can I visit the VCC?

• Once the “ready for the VCC” date listed at the top of this document is past the date you submitted your pre-enrollment form, you can come anytime they are open. The VCC is open M-F from 7-11 am and 11:30am-2:30pm. They are closed on holidays.

Q: Where is the VCC?

• The VCC is on the back side of Halligan Hall (181 Wainwright Rd). Halligan Hall is outside of Gate 8.

Q: Will my pass be good for all 4 years?

• No. Your DBIDS enrollment cannot exceed two years. It is best to renew it before it expires by repeating the process of online pre-enrollment and visiting the VCC in person again.

Q: What about non-U.S. Citizens?

• Foreign Nationals may also apply for a DBIDS card via the online DBIDS Pre-Enrollment Site. Because applicants without a U.S. Social Security number cannot complete the process entirely online, they must physically visit the VCC to be processed for a physical DBIDS card. Foreign National family members may visit the VCC at any time after the date listed at the top of this document is past their pre-enrollment submission date.

Please be aware that completing DBIDS enrollment does NOT grant you escort privileges when driving onto the Yard

• Every occupant in your vehicle who is 18 years of age or older must possess their own valid credential, which includes either a registered DBIDS paper pass, DBIDS card, DBIDS-enrolled driver’s license, or DoW Common Access Card (CAC). If any passenger in your vehicle lacks these credentials, your entry will be delayed. To ensure a smooth entry, any passenger who is not enrolled in DBIDS should plan to enter the Yard through a designated pedestrian gate instead.

If you have NOT yet started the pre-enrollment process, there are two options:

• Electronic (highly recommended) or hardcopy. Please complete only ONE of these, NOT BOTH. In general, please allow one month for processing.
• Electronic: go to the DBIDS Pre-Enrollment Site and complete the online process. Your “sponsor” for the DBIDS process is your midshipman. Please use their email and phone number during that step.
• Hardcopy: For those opting to submit a hardcopy application, you must download and complete the SECNAV 5512/1 form located at the bottom of the Base Access Website. Once completed, you can hand-deliver the form to the Visitor Control Center, located at the rear of Halligan Hall, or mail it directly to the Pass & ID Office, USNA, 52 King George Street, Annapolis, MD 21402. Please refer to the additional instructional notes at the bottom of this email for specific form-filling guidance.

Additional Requirements

• All persons 18 years of age and older must have a valid REAL ID-compliant credential, 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 form of identification.
• All visitors will undergo a bag check and magnetometer screening prior to entering the installation. Random personnel and vehicle searches will be conducted at all gates and throughout the installation.

Additional instructions on SecNav 5512 (for those that choose the hardcopy option, which we do allow, but do not recommend since it's slower processing):

1. Complete ALL yellow blocks with the exception of Blocks 25, 26 and 27. Those are for people “working” on the Yard and that does not apply for your pass.
2. If you are a PARENT, put “PARENT” at the top. The VCC is checking our parent roster and that will help process your form.
3. Forms are not needed for anyone under 18. They can be escorted by your approved family members that are over 18.
4. Both SSN and Driver’s License are required (Block 13/14), so be sure to include both numbers on the form prior to turning it in.

Click HERE to download and complete your SECNAV 5512

 

We appreciate your flexibility and cooperation as we support a safe and successful Plebe Parents Weekend.

For more information about the updated NSAA policy, please visit: https://ndw.cnic.navy.mil/Installations/NSA-Annapolis/Operations-and-Management/Security/Installation-Access-Information/

For further inquiries, you may email NSAA at nsaa-pao@us.navy.mil.