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Installation Access

Installation Access

Effective May 7, 2025, in accordance with Department of Homeland Security (DHS) guidance, all visitors requesting unescorted access to Fort George G. Meade and other federal installations must present a REAL ID-compliant credential or an acceptable alternative form of identification. For more information, click here.^{_{Click here to view the Installation Access Control Policy.}}

24/7 Reece Road Gate

Sunday	24/7
Monday	24/7
Tuesday	24/7
Wednesday	24/7
Thursday	24/7
Friday	24/7
Saturday	24/7

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Notice: The access control point visitor lane is located at Reece Road Gate after 5 p.m. to 6 a.m., Monday through Friday, and on weekends.

Mapes/175 Gate

Sunday	Closed
Monday	6 a.m. to 9 a.m. (inbound) \| 3 p.m. to 6 p.m. (outbound)
Tuesday	6 a.m. to 9 a.m. (inbound) \| 3 p.m. to 6 p.m. (outbound)
Wednesday	6 a.m. to 9 a.m. (inbound) \| 3 p.m. to 6 p.m. (outbound)
Thursday	6 a.m. to 9 a.m. (inbound) \| 3 p.m. to 6 p.m. (outbound)
Friday	6 a.m. to 9 a.m. (inbound) \| 3 p.m. to 6 p.m. (outbound)
Saturday	Closed

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Notice: From 6 a.m. to 9 a.m., Mapes/175 is open for inbound traffic. From 3 p.m. to 6 p.m. Mapes/175 is open for outbound traffic.

Mapes/32 Gate

Sunday	9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Monday	5:30 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Tuesday	5:30 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Wednesday	5:30 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Thursday	5:30 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Friday	5:30 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Saturday	9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

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Rockenbach Road Gate

Sunday	CLOSED
Monday	5:30 a.m. to 9 p.m.
Tuesday	5:30 a.m. to 9 p.m.
Wednesday	5:30 a.m. to 9 p.m.
Thursday	5:30 a.m. to 9 p.m.
Friday	5:30 a.m. to 9 p.m.
Saturday	CLOSED

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Notice: The access control point visitor lane is located at Rockenbach Road Gate from 6 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday through Friday.

Visitor Control Center

Sunday	CLOSED
Monday	7 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Tuesday	7 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Wednesday	7 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Thursday	7 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Friday	7 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Saturday	CLOSED

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Notice: Walk in services are available, anyone requiring VCC services should call 301-677-1064/1065 for assistance.

VCC Services

Issuance of contractor and guest badges
Issuance of new access badges
Renewal of access badges
Requests for events held on the installation
Registration of personally owned firearms
In/out processing

VCC Contacts

[email protected]
[email protected]
[email protected]
[email protected]

General Installation Access Requirements

All privately-owned vehicles driven onto Fort Meade are required to be licensed, registered, inspected and insured according to state and local laws. Vehicles entering the post are subject to a 100 percent identification check and all vehicles are subject to inspection by Fort Meade Force Protection personnel.

To enter the installation, Department of Defense ID card holders are only required to show a Common Access Card (CAC), military identification card, or other approved access credential issued by the Fort Meade Visitor Center. Visitors who do not have a CAC, military ID or approved access credential must will need to go through the Visitor Control Center or an access control point visitor lane. All other gates are designated for Department of Defense identification card holders or other approved access credentials.

Those who are not DoD affiliated personnel must have a valid purpose for entering the installation. To avoid delays visitors should be accompanied by a DoD ID cardholder (generally a service member or federal employee). At a minimum, visitors should be prepared to present two forms of identification with one being a driver's license if operating a motor vehicle when entering the installation. Click here for a fillable form for individual access.

After getting a visitors pass, visitors should then proceed directly to the Vehicle Inspection Station when entering the installation.

Large commercial deliveries will be directed to the vehicle cargo inspection facility (VCIF) at the National Security Agency (NSA) entrance off MD Route 32 (0500-2200 daily).

Smaller (light commercial) construction and delivery vehicles will be processed at the FMMD vehicle inspection facility at either Rockenbach Rd or the Mapes/175 ACP.

Contractors, Personal Service Providers, volunteers, and other individuals conducting legitimate business on the installation may receive an extended access credential and Vehicle Pass when properly sponsored by an authorized individual, organization or resident. Individuals requiring access in excess of 30 days, to include contractors or other service providers, must submit appropriate documents to the Visitor Center through their sponsoring organization or activity. Click here for a fillable PDF for group access.

Short-Term Access (90 days or less)

Fort Meade residents and contractors requesting short-term access is an in-person process only. The sponsor (resident w/permanent badge, DoD military or Civilian CAC) will escort their guest to the VCC. Those who require a visitor pass/badge will need to go through the Visitor Control Center.

One-day visitors or deliveries can go directly to an access control point visitor lane.

From 6 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday, the ACP visitor lane is located at Rockenbach gate. After 5 p.m. Monday through Friday and on weekends, the ACP visitor lane is located at Mapes/175 gate.

All guests require:

(1) primary ID (REAL ID driver's license or passport)
(1) secondary ID (S.S. card, birth certificate, voter's registration card)

Names on all IDs (primary & secondary) presented for vetting must match, otherwise the IDs will not be accepted.

Long-Term Access (> 90 days & up to 1 year)

The same ID and sponsorship criteria apply to a long-term access request as short-term access. For situations where the sponsor is unable to escort their guest to the VCC, please call (301) 677-1064/1065 and ask if you qualify for pre-registration.

If you qualify for pre-registration, the sponsor will need to bring:

Their base ID (resident w/permanent badge, DoD military or Civilian CAC)
Have completed typed and signed FGGM 191-001 form
Clear, color copies of their guest's IDs

Guests must be able to pick up their passes during normal VCC hours or pre-registration will be invalid.

Event Access

THE VCC CANNOT ACCEPT FORMS SUBMITTED LESS THAN 10 WORKING DAYS BEFORE THE EVENT. PLEASE PLAN ACCORDING.

For those having a special event such as weddings, promotion parties, change of command or other gatherings, the sponsor will submit the FGGM 191-002 for approval. In order for the event list to be approved and vetted, the following criteria must be met:

Guests must be listed in alphabetic order by last name. All guest information fields must be filled out. Failure to include all information will result in denial of access.
POC information must include name, phone number, e-mail and signature.
The event form must be typed and submitted 10 working days before the date of your event.

Escorting

Escorting is allowed for one-day events. Those with permanent residence, DoD military or Civilian CACs can escort through the designated main gate, visitor lane (Rockenbach M-F 5am - 5pm / Mapes @175 M-F after 5pm and all day weekends and holidays.

Use of Digital licenses are not authorized for use to enter Fort Meade.

Unauthorized Forms of Identification

Digital Licenses

Digital licenses and state identification on mobile devices are not accepted by federal, state or local law enforcement, nor for use to access Fort Meade. Visitors, vendors and contractors needing access to Fort Meade must provide a current physical copy (original) of their state driver’s license of ID to access the installation.

Marked State driver’s licenses and ID’s

State driver’s licenses and ID’s cannot be marked with “Not for federal purposes”, “Federal limits apply” or any other similar verbiage. If a license/ID is marked another form of primary ID will be needed, such as a U.S. passport.

DHS Real ID FAQ link: https://www.dhs.gov/real-id/real-id-faqs

Privately Owned Firearms and Ammunition

The carrying of privately owned weapons, explosives and ammunition on Army installations is prohibited unless authorized by the senior commander. Personnel authorized to access the installation while carrying firearms will adhere to this policy and procedures outlined in AR 190-11.

Carrying of privately-owned weapons, explosives, or ammunition on Fort Meade is prohibited

All personnel assigned, attached, or present for duty at Fort Meade who reside in residential family quarters or BOQ are required to register their firearm. Personnel who do not live on the installation cannot bring on their firearm. (Note: Firearms will not be transported inside the registration building)

Military in the grade of E-6 and below must have a Commander’s or Director’s (or equivalent) signature on the Weapons Registration form. Authorized dependents will require a Commander's signature.

Registration Options:

Automated - Digitally sign and send an e-mail with the completed FGGM Weapon registration Form to the following:
Manually - Complete the FGGM Weapon Registration Form and hand-carry to the Visitor Control Center located at 4215 Roberts Ave. Fort Meade, MD. Hours of operation are Monday -Friday, 7:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., closed weekends and holidays.

Click here for the FGGM Weapon Registration Form Once registered by the Visitor Center, the owner will receive registration via return email. (Note: this is not a hunting permit)

Weapon Transportation

The carrying of a loaded firearm in a vehicle is prohibited.

Privately-owned firearms carried in a vehicle must have their magazine and ammunition separated from the firearm in different compartments (firearm in glove box with magazine and ammunition in the trunk.)

If pulled over by law enforcement or selected for a random antiterrorist measures at the gates the weapon must be declared and registration form shown.

For out-processing, call 301-677-1064.