18–19 Sept 2018
Building 8600
US/Eastern timezone

Site Access Requirements

Site Access Requirements

In compliance with the REAL ID Act of 2005, state-issued driver's licenses that are not REAL ID compliant will no longer be accepted as proof of identity at federal facilities including ORNL.

Several states and one US territory have driver's licenses that are not REAL ID compliant: Minnesota and American Samoa. Minnesota and New York have an "enhanced driver's license" that is accepted. [List updated 10/16/2015]

Users and other visitors with a driver's license from these states will need an approved alternate form of identification to enter ORNL. Some other approved forms of identification include a U.S. passport or U.S. military ID. Visitors from other DOE sites can use their HSPD12 badges, which are accepted. However, site badges that are not HSPD12 badges are not verified forms of ID.


Beginning March 30, 2015, ORNL will require one of the following for identification:

  • A compliant state driver’s license
  • An Enhanced Driver’s License (Minnesota and New York)
  • A Passport
  • A military ID

Visitors who do not have compliant identification will not be allowed access to ORNL or its facilities.

If you have questions about this change, please contact the Neutron Sciences User Office at 865-574-4600 or neutronusers@ornl.gov. You may also contact the ORNL Visitor Center at x10visit@ornl.gov.

For more information on REAL ID or acceptable forms of identification, please see http://www.dhs.gov/real-id-enforcement-brief and/or http://www.tsa.gov/traveler-information/acceptable-ids