Non-hard pass holders wishing to attend the Department Press Briefing or cover an open

press event may enter/exit through the 23rd Street lobby on regular work days, Monday-
Friday, 8:00 am – 4:00 pm. They will be cleared through security at the 23rd Street lobby
and issued a day pass by a uniformed Protective Service Officer, valid for that day only.
Day pass holders have unescorted access to the second floor – the Office of Press
Relations (2109), the Press Briefing Room (2209), the Correspondents’ Room (2310) and
the Mezzanine balcony (east and west sides). If an event is to be held elsewhere in the
building, all press will be escorted by Department employees. The badge must be turned in
upon departure.

The 23rd Street lobby is the primary pick-up point for escort to events. Outside the 8:00 am
– 4:00 pm hours, the pick-up point is typically the C Street lobby. Day pass holders do not
have access via C Street, unless with pre-arranged escort by a Department employee for
an interview or event. All camera set-up times and pick-up times will be posted in the Daily
Public Schedule online.

The Office of Press Operations may recommend that Diplomatic Security issue a long-term
“hard” building pass to journalists and media technicians who demonstrate a frequent
(three times per week) need to be in the State Department. Application forms are available
from the Press Office, Room 2109, Harry S. Truman Building. Applicants must return
completed forms to the Press Office in person, along with a letter from his/her employer
and proof of citizenship. Reporters from non-U.S.-based media organizations must bring a
letter from the embassy of the country in which the organization is based attesting to the
bona fides of the media organization. Issuance of the pass is contingent upon a
background check by the Department’s Bureau of Diplomatic Security. Press hard pass
holders do not have escort privileges.