Home / Base Access Control / Base Access ID Types
March 10, 2025
Different ID cards allow different base access privileges to US military installations in Korea. The type of ID an ID cardholder has determines those privileges. See the breakout explanations below of the different base access authorizations by the type of ID card.
BASE ACCESS: YES
Living in Korea or just visiting, retirees of the U.S. Armed Services with a valid DoD Retiree ID card have unlimited base access to Korea installations.
VEHICLE REGISTRATION: YES
Retirees living (only) in Korea are authorized to register one (1) vehicle on base, after initial registration downtown, and obtain a vehicle decal. Retirees require an approved Exception to Policy (ETP) to register a second (2nd) vehicle. An ETP for a retiree is approved at the Area DES Directors level, not an 0-6. The ETP request is 'prepared' by the retiree and submitted to Pass&ID, who in turn sends the ETP request through channels until approved and signed by the DES Director. Pass&ID 'should' contact you when the ETP is complete.
VEHICLE REGISTRATION (DEPENDENT): NO
Dependents are not allowed to register vehicles, only their sponsors.
ESCORT AUTHORITY: YES
Retirees living or just visiting in Korea are authorized to Escort (sign-in) four (4) persons onto base for one-day passes, and one (1) vehicle. Most bases allow the retiree to escort their extended family members for up to four (4) consecutive days.
SHOPPING PRIVILAGES: YES Go To Shopping and Ration Control
ABOUT THIS ID CARD IN DEERS: Go to the DEERS ID Card page
BASE ACCESS: YES
Un-Remarried 20/20/20 Designated Beneficiaries (divorced spouse) with a valid DoD Designated Beneficiary ID card have unlimited base access to Korea installations.
VEHICLE REGISTRATION: YES
Un-Remarried 20/20/20 Designated Beneficiaries (divorced spouse) are authorized to register one (1) vehicle on base and obtain a vehicle decal .
ESCORT AUTHORITY: YES
Un-Remarried 20/20/20 Designated Beneficiaries (divorced spouse) are authorized to Escort (sign-in) four (4) persons onto base for one-day passes, and one (1) vehicle.
SHOPPING PRIVILAGES: YES Go To Shopping and Ration Control
ABOUT THIS ID CARD IN DEERS: Go to the DEERS ID Card page
BASE ACCESS: YES
Whether living in Korea, or just visiting, Un-Remarried Widow/Widower of deceased Retirees with a valid DoD Retiree Dependent ID card have unlimited base access to Korea installations.
VEHICLE REGISTRATION: YES
Un-Remarried Widow/Widowers are authorized to register one (1) vehicle on base and obtain a vehicle decal.
ESCORT AUTHORITY: YES
Un-Remarried Widow/Widowers are authorized to Escort (sign-in) four (4) persons onto base for one-day passes, and one (1) vehicle.
SHOPPING PRIVILAGES: YES Go To Shopping and Ration Control
ABOUT THIS ID CARD IN DEERS: Go to the DEERS ID Card page
BASE ACCESS: YES
Whether living in Korea, or just visiting, 100% permanently rated VA Disabled American Veterans are eligible for a DOD DEERS/RAPIDS 100% Disabled American Veterans ID card (DAV), which comes with unlimited base access.
VEHICLE REGISTRATION: YES
DOD 100% Disabled American Veterans are authorized to register one (1) vehicle on base and obtain a vehicle decal .
VEHICLE REGISTRATION (DEPENDENT): NO
Dependents are not allowed to register vehicles, only their sponsors.
ESCORT AUTHORITY: YES
DOD 100% Disabled American Veterans are authorized to Escort (sign-in) four (4) persons onto base for one-day passes, and one (1) vehicle.
SHOPPING PRIVILAGES: YES Go To Shopping and Ration Control
ABOUT THIS ID CARD IN DEERS: Go to the DEERS ID Card page
BASE ACCESS: YES. Non-retired DOD Disabled Veterans with a Veteran Health Identification Card (VHIC) from the VA have unlimited access to the base. Their dependents do not, since they are not issued a VHIC card, however you can apply for a DBIDS Base Access card at a Pass&ID Office using Form 81E. VHIC cardholders must register their VHIC ID Card in DBIDS with a Pass&ID office for base access.
VEHICLE REGISTRATION: NO
ESCORT AUTHORITY: NO. Not allowed to sign-in their own vehicle.
SHOPPING PRIVILAGES: NO. Go To Shopping and Ration Control
MORE ABOUT THIS ID CARD CARD: Go to the VHIC ID Card section on the VA page and DEERS ID Card page
Family Members who are caregivers are authorized to apply for a DBIDS Base Access card. DBIDS is run and managed by the USFK Provost Marshall office, not DEERS/RAPIDS ID Card office, so Pass&ID offices control the policies and procedures for applying for a DBIDS Base Access card. Base policies may apply as well, so check with your local Pass&ID office.
Non-family Member caregivers are no longer authorized DBIDS cards for base access or privilages.
The DOD Civilian Retired ID program that produced an ID card from DEERS/RAPIDS was terminated in early 2023. The alternative in Korea is to be issued a DBIDS base pass card.
YES: IF LIVING in Korea, and only with a DBIDS Base Pass card. USFK Instructions only allow a DBIDS card to be issued to a civilian retiree "living" in Korea (not visiting), and that DBIDS card allows access to only ONE BASE, the base you obtain it from.
NO: IF VISITING Korea. When the DOD terminated the Civilian Retiree ID card program, they justified by using two alternatives: 1) REAL ID 2) Installation Access Control system policies (Korea is DBIDS). USFK Base Access Instructions do not allow for or recognize any REAL ID, so that is not available.USFK Instructions only allows a DBIDS card to be issued to a civilian retiree "living" in Korea, not visiting. And that DBIDS card allows access to only one base, the base you obtain it from.
