The NSA Bethesda VCC is located at:
102 Wood Road, Bethesda, MD 20889

Open: Monday to Friday, 5:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.
Phone: 301-295-4607

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ATTENTION: All first time visitors without existing access to the installation must complete and submit SECVNAV FORM 5512/1.
Download it here.
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ID CARDS:  If you're going to the DEERS/ID Card office for a Common Access Card (CAC), please click here for information about obtaining access to the installation. 

NOTICE: 07AUG23: Effective August 31, 2023, the DoD Civil Service Retiree ID Card program is discontinued. For more information on how this may impact your visit to NSA Bethesda, please visit our FAQ below.

 

ESCORTING VISITORS

Personnel escorting visitors and guests are responsible for knowing and adhering to all information below.

1.) Personnel with the following IDs may escort visitors & guests onto the installation:

- Military or Federal Civil Service CAC (may sponsor or escort)
- Military ID Cards in the following categories (may sponsor or escort): retiree, spouse, 100% disabled, reservist, privilege 
- Military Dependent ID Cards (may sponsor or escort if the holder is over the age of 18)

2.) Escorts must remain with their guest/visitor at all times, unless the individual retrieves their own valid ID or are passed off to another valid ID holder.

3.) Other cardholder categories that may *not* escort or sponsor include:

- Contractors (Contractors may not escort without explicit permission in writing from the installation commanding officer)
- Common Access Card for Foreign National Affiliates with a required memorandum
- Veterans Health ID Cards (VHIC)

*** OR ***

SUBMIT A VISIT REQUEST AND CHOOSE ONE OF THE FOLLOWING:

Pre-vetted Access List

PLEASE READ THIS SECTION IN ITS ENTIRETY FOR YOUR OWN UNDERSTANDING OF THE PROCESS.

For your visitor or guests name(s) to be placed on a pre-vetted access list at the gates, you may submit an *ENCRYPTED* email at least (3) business days in advance (Monday through Friday, excluding Federal holidays) to:

NSAB_Base_Access@us.navy.mil

In the email subject line, specific "Access Request: Pre-Vetted Access". Download and complete this form, password protect it, and attach it with a completed SECNAV 5512/1. (Send the password in a separate email.) In the body, include the required information below:

- Requested date(s) of access
- Visitor/Guest name (LAST, FIRST as it appears on their driver's license or government-issued ID)
- Company/Employer (If the guest is visiting on official business) or "N/A"
- Destination on NSA Bethesda
- Sponsor's name (LAST, FIRST)
- Sponsor's desk telephone number

Alternatively, a SECNAV 5512/1 may be hand-delivered to the Visitor Control Center. There are no exceptions to this deadline due to the large volume of requests that must be vetted. The "pre-vetted access list" is printed the afternoon prior and placed at the gates at 5 a.m. NOTE: If your visitors/guests will be arriving prior to 5 a.m., please request access for both the day prior AND the day of the visit.

Pick Up a Pass

If you are unable to meet the deadline of (3) day business days prior to the visit, submit an email to:

NSAB_Base_Access@us.navy.mil

In the email subject line, specify "Access Request: Pick-up a pass" . Download and complete this form, password protect it, and attach it with a completed SECNAV 5512/1. (Send the password in a separate email.) In the body, include the required information below:

- Requested date(s) of access
- Visitor/Guest name (LAST, FIRST as it appears on their driver's license or government-issued ID)
- Company/Employer (If the guest is visiting on official business) or "N/A"
- Destination on NSA Bethesda
- Sponsor's name (LAST, FIRST)
- Sponsors desk telephone number

Please have your visitor report to the Visitor Control Center at least one hour prior to their visit with two or more forms of valid ID as listed on form 5512/1.

Updated: September 10, 2024
 

DEERS/ID Card Office Access

Visitors and employees without base access to NSA Bethesda who are looking to access the installation for walk-in service at the DEERS/ID Card office must have a sponsor or escort (as shown above) to obtain a pass for access to the installation.

Visitors and employees without base access to the installation who have an existing appointment at the DEERS/ID Card office must present a screenshot or printout confirming their appointment date/time to obtain a pass for access to the installation.

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DoD Civil Service Retiree ID Card Cancellation: The Under Secretary of Defense for Personnel and Readiness has cancelled Department of Defense (DoD) civil service retiree identification card program. All existing cards expired August 31, 2023. As a result, federal civilian retirees wanting to access a Navy installation will be required to apply for a Defense Biometric Identifications Systems (DBIDS) ID card. Here's what you need to know:

Q. How do I get onto NSA Bethesda after my DoD Civil Service Retiree ID becomes inactive?

A. Apply for a Defense Biometric Identifications Systems (DBIDS) ID access card at the NSA Bethesda Visitor Control Center (VCC). Eligible personnel must visit the VCC in person and bring proper identification as well as an SF-50 indicating retirement from civilian government service. For the background portion, complete the SECNAV Form 5512/1 and bring it to the VCC.

Q. Once I have my DBIDS access card, will I still have to go through the VCC for each visit?

A. No, you will be able to present your DBIDS access card to the installation sentry to get onto base and use permitted MWR facilities.

Q. Will I need to renew my DBIDS registration in the future or do I only need to get this card once?

A. Though DBIDS credentials can be authorized up to three years, NSA Bethesda's local DBIDS access policy is limited to 364 days. Credentials will need to be renewed on an annual basis.

Q. Will one DBIDS access card grant me access to all U.S. Navy bases?

A. An individual is required to have their DBIDS credential authorized at each installation they intend to access. The individual must go through the VCC prior to entering an installation for the first time. The background check portion of enrollment will have been completed at the first installation, and then establish identity and purpose for entering at each subsequent installation. Subject to the installation commanding officer’s discretion or policy, the VCC may now add access to that installation to the credential.

Q. Without a DoD retiree ID card, how can I access MWR facilities?

A. NSA Bethesda will continue to allow DoD Civilian Retirees to use MWR facilities on the installation. DBIDS credentials will be issued to eligible personnel with "MWR Facility Privileges" on the back in the "Remarks" box, and be assigned to the "Facility Use" (Yellow) category during enrollment. The limited use of MWR facilities by DoD civilian retirees remains at the discretion of the installation commander.

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