Notice to the Press
Office of the Spokesman
Washington, DC
November 15, 2004
State Department Press Building PassesThe migration from the old identification card reader system to the new Smart Card system within the Harry S Truman Building will soon be complete. Members of the press who currently hold building passes should apply for a Smart Card immediately if they have not already done so. A Smart Card will be needed to retain access to and within the building as card readers are upgraded. During the transition period, both the original building pass and the Smart Card may be needed for various card readers, and one of the cards must be displayed at all times while in the building. State Department officials will collect the old building passes when they are no longer needed.
To apply for a Smart Card, members of the press must do the following:
- Pick up Form DS-1838, Request for Building Pass Identification Card, from the Office of Press Relations, Room 2109;
- Fill out boxes 1 through 20 and submit form to the Office of Press Relations to be completed;
- Take original to the Building Pass Identification Processing Center, 520 23rd Street, Columbia Plaza Courtyard, SA-1, (202) 663-3093
Hours of Operation: Monday through Friday, 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
The access policy for members of the press with a valid building pass remains the same:
7:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m., Monday through Friday, except holidays
- May enter through a turnstile at any entrance.
- Unescorted access to facilities on the second floor or below.
- Must have an appointment with a Department official before going to any State Department office, regardless of the floor on which that office is located, and someone from that office must escort the media representative to and from the meeting.
All other times
- May enter or exit through the turnstile on the west mezzanine staircase in the C Street lobby.
Press Contact: Office of Press Relations, U.S. Department of State, (202) 647-2492
2004/1231
Released on November 15, 2004
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