Access Control :: U.S. Army Fort Knox: Gold Standard Army Installation (2024)

***By May 7, 2025, REAL ID Act requirements will impact Fort Knox access***

• For information on Kentucky issuance of REAL ID Act-compliant driver’s licenses and IDs (non-driver’s licenses), CLICK HERE.
• For information from the U.S. Department of Homeland Security on REAL ID and status of state compliance across the United States, CLICK HERE.
• For information on Fort Knox installation access requirements beginning May 2025, CLICK HERE.

• All non-U.S. citizens: Requires advance arrangements with the Directorate of Emergency Services, an escort by a DOD service member or employee and signed corresponding sponsorship documentation vetted at the Visitor Center. All foreign national visitors must have a valid passport. Call 502-624-7011 for additional information. NOTE: No alternative means may be used to obtain a visitor pass.
• Children ages 17 and younger (not wishing to drive onto post; EX: passenger): No identification required; however, those who appear older may be asked for identification.
• Children ages 16-17 (wishing to drive onto post): See below “Instructions and Authorized Credentials” section for identification requirements.
• Adults 18 and older: See below “Instructions and Authorized Credentials” section for identification requirements.

Instructions and Authorized Credentials

• • Individuals with a valid DOD ID card (e.g., Common Access Card, military ID) or visitor pass:
    • No additional requirements except to carry one’s own valid state-issued driver’s license if driving onto post. Proceed directly to one of the three primary entrance gates. If a single vehicle occupant, scan DOD ID card or visitor pass at the gate lane's pedestal. If more than one vehicle occupant, proceed directly to gate guard with all occupants presenting all required visitor passes/other valid IDs for installation access. The gate hours of operation are listed below.
• • Individuals with a valid state-issued driver’s license:
    • For a video on "How to gain installation access to Fort Knox" CLICK HERE
    • Go to the Fort Knox Visitor Center and either use a kiosk or visit a manned window to obtain up to a 1-year visitor pass. With a visitor pass in hand, proceed directly to one of the three primary entrance gates. If a single vehicle occupant, scan visitor pass at the gate lane's pedestal. If more than one vehicle occupant, proceed directly to gate guard with all occupants presenting all required visitor passes/other valid IDs for installation access. The gate hours of operation are listed below.
    • Alternatively, one may visit https://visit.gvt.us/?b=usa&i=knox&t=v to obtain a 5-day Fast Pass (Microsoft Edge, Firefox, Google Chrome, and Safari browser recommended).
      • Pass can only be requested a maximum of 30 days in advance of one’s visit date.
      • Registrant’s driver’s license serves as the pass. With driver’s license in hand, proceed directly to one of the three primary entrance gates. Be prepared to provide driver's license/ID to gate guard, with all other occupants presenting all required visitor passes/other valid IDs for installation access.
    • Gate hours of operation are listed below.
• • Individuals with a valid state-issued ID card (non-driver’s license):
    • Go to the Fort Knox Visitor Center and either use a kiosk or visit a manned window to obtain up to a 1-year visitor pass. With a visitor pass in hand, proceed directly to one of the three primary entrance gates.
    • Alternatively, one may visit https://visit.gvt.us/?b=usa&i=knox&t=v to obtain a 5-day Fast Pass (Microsoft Edge, Firefox, Google Chrome, and Safari browser recommended).
      • Pass can only be requested a maximum of 30 days in advance of one’s visit date.
      • A person’s state-issued ID card serves as the pass. With state-issued ID in hand, proceed directly to one of the three primary entrance gates. Be prepared to provide driver's license/ID to gate guard, with all other occupants presenting all required visitor passes/other valid IDs for installation access.
    • Gate hours of operation are listed below.

NOTE: Those without a valid driver’s license may not access post as a driver.

• Individuals with a Veterans Health ID card:
  • Go to the Fort Knox Visitor to register the Veterans Health ID.
    • Visit a manned window and present both the Veterans Health ID and valid state-issued driver’s license/ID.

About the 5-day Fast Pass

• U.S. citizens without a military ID but who have a valid state driver's license/ID and wish to visit Fort Knox for only a short duration should consider a 5-day Fast Pass.

NOTE: Those without a military ID and who wish to regularly access Fort Knox should see "Requirements to access Fort Knox under normal conditions" tab for instructions on how to obtain up to a 1-year visitor pass.

• There is no requirement to go to the Visitor Center for the 5-day Fast Pass.
• Pass can only be requested a maximum of 30 days in advance of one's visit date.
• Registrant's driver's license serves as the pass.
  • Those approved for a 5-day Fast Pass must proceed directly to one of the three primary entrance gates. Be prepared to provide driver's license/ID to gate guard, with all other occupants presenting all required visitor passes/other valid IDs for installation access.
  • See "Gate hours of operation" tab for gate hours of operation.

Steps to obtain the 5-day Fast Pass

Video-How to obtain a 5-Day Fast PASS https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wCGboJt5Iz8

• Visit (Microsoft Edge, Firefox, Google Chrome, and Safari browser recommended).
• Complete all pre-registration requirements on the secure site, being sure to select "5-Day Fast Pass." This process takes less than two minutes.
• Applicants should receive an SMS (text message) within minutes (and no later than 24 hours later) with notification on whether the request for a 5-day Fast Pass is approved.
  • If no SMS is received, call the Visitor Center at 502-624-7011/7019 to check status.

• Open 6 a.m. to 9 p.m. seven days a week, located 150 yards before the Chaffee (main) Gate and to the left.
• To obtain up to a 1-year visitor pass when the Visitor Center is closed, use the far left lane(s) leading to the Chaffee (main) Gate and be prepared to present valid identification (requirements listed above). NOTE: Commercial delivery, military and oversized vehicle drivers, see tab below for alternate instructions.
• Alternatively, one may visit https://visit.gvt.us/?b=usa&i=knox&t=v to obtain a 5-day Fast Pass.
  • Pass can only be requested a maximum of 30 days in advance of one’s visit date.
  • Registrant’s driver’s license serves as the pass. With driver’s license in hand, proceed directly to one of the three primary entrance gates. Be prepared to provide driver's license/ID to gate guard, with all other occupants presenting all required visitor passes/other valid IDs for installation access.

• Chaffee (main) Gate: Open 24 hours, 7 days a week, including federal and training holidays.
• Wilson Gate: Open 6 a.m. to 8 p.m. Monday-Friday. Closed federal holidays.
• Brandenburg Gate: Open 6 a.m. to 1 p.m. Monday-Friday. Closed federal and training holidays.

• All commercial and delivery vehicles must use Brandenburg Gate between 6 a.m. and 1 p.m. Monday-Friday. After 1 p.m. on weekdays, Chaffee (main) and Wilson gates must be used for commercial and delivery vehicles. After 8 p.m. Monday-Friday as well as on weekends, the Chaffee (main) Gate must be used.
• Ammunition/explosives/HAZMAT vehicles must use Brandenburg Gate between 6 a.m. and 1 p.m. Monday-Friday. If access is required at other times, advance coordination must be made by calling the Visitor Center at 502-624-7011/7019. If access is required after normal duty hours, call Military Police at 502-624-2111/2112.
• If entering from Chaffee (main) Gate, vehicles must use the two right-most lanes.

NOTE 1: Military convoys of 50 vehicles or more and oversized vehicles needing to enter Fort Knox require advance coordination by calling the Visitor Center at 502-624-7011/7019. If access is required after normal duty hours, call the Military Police at 502-624-2111/2112.

NOTE 2: Fort Knox is a safe haven for ammunition/explosives/HAZMAT being delivered to other destinations. For more information CLICK HERE.

Individuals without a valid DOD identification card (e.g., Common Access Card, military ID) and requesting access to Fort Knox will be vetted against the below criteria.

• The NCIC-III contains criminal information about the individual that causes the senior commander to determine that the individual presents a potential threat to the good order, discipline, or health and safety of the installation.
• The installation is unable to verity the individual’s claimed identity based on the reasonable belief that the individual has submitted fraudulent information concerning his or her identity in the attempt to gain access.
• The individual has a current arrest warrant in NCIC, regardless of the offense or violation.
• The individual is currently barred from entry or access to a federal installation or facility.
• The individual has been convicted of crimes encompassing sexual assault, armed robbery, rape, child molestation, production or possession of child p*rnography, trafficking in humans, drug possession with intent to sell or drug distribution.
• The individual has a U.S. conviction of espionage, sabotage, treason, terrorism or murder.
• The individual is a registered sex offender.
• The individual has been convicted of a felony within the past 10 years, regardless of the offense or violation.
• The individual has been convicted of a felony firearms or explosives violation.
• The individual has engaged in acts or activities designed to overthrow the U.S. Government by force.
• The individual is identified in the Terrorist Screening Database (TSDB) as known to be or suspected of being a terrorist or belonging to an organization with known links to terrorism or support of terrorist activity. When this capability becomes available to DOD, security personnel performing installation access control will strictly follow the Federal Bureau of Investigation’s published engagement protocols.

Those barred from any military installation must submit an appeal to the respective installation that issued the bar in order for an Access Denial Waiver to be considered. Only when waivers are approved may these individuals request access to Fort Knox. Anyone denied access to or barred from Fort Knox due aforementioned vetting and associated criteria may request an Access Denial Waiver Letter of Instruction at the Visitor Center. Appeals may be submitted to the Visitor Center. Individuals may call 502-624-4335/7011/7019 to check their installation access status.