Visitors & Subcontractors

Expectations for visitors

Knowing who is in Ames National Laboratory spaces is crucial for protecting personnel, research, and equipment while ensuring proper vetting. If you’re hosting a visitor, complete the Visitor Request Form in ServiceNow at least one week in advance. Visitors include retirees, family members, subcontractors, and vendors. Non-U.S. citizens must also complete the Ames Lab 473 process before arrival.

With the Badging Office now open, all visitors should check in at 105 TASF instead of the Guard Room. They must present a Real ID or other acceptable forms of identification. The Badging team will be prepared thanks to your advance request.

Visitor Request Form

If you do have last-minute visitors (which is rare but it does happen), you can email or call the Badging team at badgingoffice@ameslab.gov or 515-294-6076, or just go with your visitor to the Badging Office and the Badging team will help you. Check out the visitor process article in ServiceNow for answers to frequently asked questions.

All visitors need to properly wear and display their visitor badges.

REAL ID requirement

Starting May 7, 2025, the REAL ID Act will be enforced nationwide. Since Ames National Laboratory is a federal facility, visitors and subcontractors who do not have a REAL ID-compliant state-issued ID must show their passport or other acceptable form of identification.

REAL ID-compliant cards have a star marking on the upper top portion of the card. Here are answers to frequently asked questions about REAL ID.

Open or download this fact sheet for examples and more details.

REALID_FactSheet.pdf

Visitors.pptx

Downloadable slides about visitors

These 2 slides include details about:

Visitor badges and stickers
Who is considered a visitor
Visitor process expectations

Hover and scroll (or tap, hold, and drag on a mobile device) to preview the slides. Select the "pop-out" arrow at the top right to open the slides in a new window, and choose the "Download" option from the menu at the top of that window to download a copy.