White House Tours & Information

White House Tours

The White House announced on March 15 that tours will resume on April 15.

Public tour requests must be submitted through one's Member of Congress. These self-guided tours are available from 7:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. Tuesday through Thursday, 7:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays (excluding federal holidays or unless otherwise noted). Tour hours will be extended when possible based on the official White House schedule. Tours are scheduled on a first come, first served basis. Requests can be submitted up to three months in advance and no less than 21 days in advance.

Please note that it is not guaranteed that the White House will schedule you for a tour. You are encouraged to submit your request as early as possible as a limited number of spaces are available. All White House tours are free of charge. (Please note that White House tours may be subject to last minute cancellation.)

If you wish to visit the White House and are a citizen of a foreign country, please contact your embassy in Washington, DC for assistance in submitting a tour request.

What do you need to know?

Forms of Identification

All guests 18 years of age or older will be required to present a valid, government-issued photo identification (detailed below). All foreign nationals must present their passport. All other forms of foreign identification will not be accepted.
All information submitted (e.g. name, date of birth, city, etc.) must exactly match the government-issued photo ID you will present when arriving at the White House.

The following forms of photo ID are acceptable for presentation to USSS upon entry to the White House complex:

Valid government-issued United States identification card (e.g. drivers license, military ID, etc.)

Valid United States or other official government-issued passports

***No other forms of identification will be accepted; photocopies, expired IDs, or other transmissions of these documents are NOT valid.

Prohibited Items

Prohibited items include, but are not limited to, the following:

Video Recorders

Handbags, book bags, backpacks or purses

Food or beverages, tobacco products, personal grooming items (i.e. makeup, lotion, etc.)

Strollers

Any pointed objects

Aerosol containers

Guns, ammunition, fireworks, electric stun guns, mace, martial arts weapons/devices, or knives of any size

As of July 1, 2015, Smartphones and compact cameras with a lens no longer than 3 inches (stills only) are permitted on the public tour route as long as their use does not interfere with other guests' enjoyment of the tour.

Video cameras including any action camcorders, cameras with detachable lenses, tablets, tripods, monopods and camera sticks are not permitted.

Flash photography or live stream as well as talking or texting on cellular phones is not permitted while on the tour.

The U.S. Secret Service reserves the right to prohibit any other personal items. Umbrellas, wallets, car keys, and cell phones (including those with cameras) are permitted. However, guests will not be allowed to use cell phones inside the White House. Phones used inside the White House may be confiscated by US Secret Service.

***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.

Parking

The closest Metrorail stations to the White House are Federal Triangle (blue and orange lines), Metro Center (blue, orange, and red lines) and McPherson Square (blue and orange lines). On-street parking is not available near the White House and use of public transportation is strongly encouraged.

Restrooms

The nearest restrooms to the White House are in the Ellipse Visitor Pavilion (the park area south of the White House). Restrooms or public telephones are not available at the White House.

Mobility-Impaired / Wheelchairs

Visitors scheduled for tours who require the loan of a wheelchair should notify the officer at the Visitors Entrance upon arrival. Unfortunately, reservations are not possible. Visitors in wheelchairs, or with other mobility disabilities, use the same Visitors Entrance and are escorted by ramp from the entrance level to the Ground floor, and by elevator from the Ground floor to the State floor.

Hearing & Visually-Impaired

Please contact your Member of Congress if you have a hearing or visual impairment and require assistance during your White House tour. Guide animals are permitted in the White House.

Current Information

All visitors should call the 24-hour Visitors Office information line at 202-456-7041 to determine if any last-minute changes have been made in the tour schedule.

How do I get scheduled for a tour?

Obtaining a White House tour can be very difficult. It is very important to follow the below guidelines for your application to be considered.

-It is highly recommended that White House tours be submitted 3-6 months in advance particularly for the high tourism months of March -August and December.

-Tours are only available Tuesday through Thursday 7:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. and Fridays and Saturdays 7:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.