The U.S. Department of State has announced changes to the process for journalists seeking temporary day passes to access open or pooled press events at the Harry S. Truman building. The new procedures will take effect on December 22, 2025.
Under the updated system, accredited journalists and media technicians must coordinate in advance with the Bureau of Global Public Affairs to validate their press credentials if they wish to attend events such as the Department Press Briefing or access the Mezzanine balcony. Requests should be submitted through the Media Inquiry System at https://iipstate.my.site.com/DOSMediaInquiries/s/.
The Department’s public schedule, available at https://www.state.gov/public-schedule/, will continue to indicate which events are open to the press.
According to the announcement, "Members of the media who arrive at the 23rd Street press entrance seeking a day pass to attend Department Press Briefings or access the Mezzanine balcony without prior arrangement with the Bureau of Global Public Affairs or another sponsoring Department of State official may be refused access to the building."
For additional information, journalists are directed to contact the State Department Office of Press Operations via https://www.state.gov/information-for-journalists or GPAPressDuty@state.gov. Full guidance and requirements will be posted online starting December 22, 2025.
