Beginning May 7, 2025, all individuals over the age of 18 who enter Arlington National Cemetery in a vehicle should be prepared to present a REAL ID at the security checkpoint. This applies to funeral attendees, family pass holders, honor flights, contractors who do not possess a Department of Defense (DoD) Common Access Card (CAC) or an Automated Installation (AIE) badge, and family-hired photographers and florists who drive into the cemetery via Memorial Avenue, Joint Base Myer-Henderson Hall or the Service Complex Gate.    

Visitors who walk, take the Metro or use a ride share service to ANC will not be required to present a REAL ID, as they will be required to go through standard physical security screening within the Welcome Center.   

Signed into law in Congress in 2005, the REAL ID Act enacted the 9/11 Commission's recommendation that the federal government “set standards for the issuance of sources of identification, such as driver's licenses.” Arlington National Cemetery is a federal facility. This requirement ensures we comply with the requirements of the REAL ID Act of 2005 and Department of Homeland Security regulations. The goal is to enhance security at federal facilities nationwide.  

REAL ID-compliant forms of identification will have of one of the following markings on the upper top portion of the card. If the card does not have one of these markings, it is not REAL ID-compliant and will not/may not be accepted as proof of identity: 

If you do not have a REAL ID-compliant state driver’s license, the following forms of identification will be accepted:  

• DoD Common Access Card  
• DoD Uniformed Services ID Cards (military retiree or dependent ID)  
• Local DoD Access Cards and Passes (i.e. Defense Biometric Identification System Card)  
• U.S. or Foreign Passport or Passport Cards  
• Transportation Worker Identification Cards  
• Veteran’s Health Identification Cards  
• Federal Personal Identify Verification Cards  
• Non-Federal PIV-Interoperable Cards  
• An acceptable photo ID issued by a federally recognized Tribal Nation/Indian Tribe, including Enhanced Tribal Cards (ETCs).   

For more information, please see your state’s Department of Motor Vehicles website, the Department of Homeland Security's Real ID site (DHS.gov/Real-ID) or the Arlington National Cemetery Visitor Information Website (ArlingtonCemetery.mil/Visit/Information).