President's Park (White House) - White House Tours (U.S. National Park Service)

Instructions on White House Tours

1. When are the White House Tours?

Public tours of the White House are scheduled Tuesday through Saturday from 7:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. for groups of 10 or more people.

2. How can I arrange a White House tour?

Requests must be submitted through one's Member of Congress and are accepted up to six months in advance. To contact your Representative and Senators, please call the U.S. Capitol Switchboard at this number (202) 224-3121.

All guests 14 years of age or older are required by the United States Secret Service to submit their name, date of birth, social security number and country of citizenship to the requesting office. Attendees under the age of 14 only need to submit their name and date of birth. This security information must be received by the office through which tickets are obtained no later than five business days prior to the tour date. Groups without security information will be cancelled.

3. Where do White House Tours begin?

Groups should enter the White House complex from the south side of East Executive Avenue near the Southeast Gate.

Uniformed National Park Service Rangers and volunteers are posted at the corner of 15th and E Streets to assist groups as they arrive.

Limited bus parking is available on 15th Street across from the Department of Commerce. Please check posted street signs for parking restrictions.

4. Should I arrive early?

Groups should arrive 15 minutes before their scheduled tour time. Late arrivals may not be accommodated.

All tours are significantly enhanced if visitors stop by the White House Visitor Center located at the southeast corner of 15th and E Streets, before or after their tour. The Center is open seven days a week from 7:30 a.m. until 4:00 p.m. and features exhibits on many aspects of the White House, including its architecture, furnishings, first families, social events, and relations with the press and world leaders, as well as a thirty-minute video. Allow between 20 minutes to one hour to explore the exhibits. The White House Historical Association also sponsors a sales area. Restrooms are available in the Center.

5. Will I need to bring a photo ID?

All guests 15 years of age or older will be required to present photo identification with information exactly matching the name previously submitted for clearance. Individuals whose identification does not exactly match the name or data cleared for entry may be denied.

6. What are the prohibited items?

Prohibited items include, but are not limited to, the following: handbags, book bags, backpacks, purses, food and beverages of any kind, strollers, cameras, video recorders or any type of recording device, tobacco products, personal grooming items (make-up, hair brush or comb, lip or hand lotions, etc.), any pointed objects (pens, knitting needles, etc.), aerosol containers, guns, ammunition, fireworks, electric stun guns, mace, martial arts weapons/devices, or knives of any size.

The United States Secret Service reserves the right to prohibit any other personal items.

Umbrellas, wallets, cell phones and car keys are permitted.

Please note that no storage facilities are available on or around the complex. Individuals who arrive with prohibited items will not be permitted to enter the White House.

7. Can I bring my medications?

Yes. All necessary medications must be identified and screened by the U.S. Secret Service.

8. Will I be screened?

All persons and items entering the White House will be screened through a security process. Individuals may be requested to consent to an interview or additional security procedures before they are admitted to the White House complex.

9. Is there a 24-hour number I can call for current information?

White House tours may be subject to last minute cancellation. Visitors may call the 24-hour line at 202-456-7041 for the most current tour information.

10. Is the White House accessible?

• If you would like to request a wheelchair, please notify the officer at the Visitors Entrance upon arrival. Visitors in wheelchairs, or with other mobility disabilities, use the main Visitors Entrance and are escorted by ramp from the entrance level to the Ground floor and via by the elevator from the Ground floor to the State floor.

• Submit your request for tours for hearing-impaired groups of ten or more through your Member of Congress. The Visitors Office TDD (telephone device for the deaf) is 202-456-2121.

• Submit your request for tours for visually-impaired groups of ten or more through your Member of Congress. Guide animals are permitted in the White House.

• Submit your request for tours for mentally-impaired groups of ten or more through your Member of Congress.