How to Schedule and Get Your CAC ID Card Appointment

How to book a CAC appointment and what to bring

To get a CAC (Common Access Card) appointment, you contact the ID card office at your military installation directly — there is no single national booking system. Most bases use an online scheduler or phone line specific to that location. You will need to call the base operator or visit the installation's official website to find the ID card section, which lists phone numbers and sometimes an online booking portal.

The fastest way is to call the ID card office at your base during business hours. Have your Social Security number, date of birth, and current military status information ready. If you are a dependent or retiree, you may need to provide the sponsor's information as well. Some installations let you book online through their RAPIDS (Real-time Automated Personnel Identification System) portal, which you can access from home.

Expect wait times to vary widely depending on your installation. Some bases have same-week appointments available; others have a backlog of several weeks. If your base is backlogged, ask whether they have a walk-in window for urgent cases or whether you can travel to a nearby installation instead.

Key Takeaways

• Contact your military installation's ID card office directly by phone or through their online scheduler — there is no central booking number for all bases.
• Bring a valid photo ID, your military ID or sponsor information, proof of residency, and any documents showing a name change if applicable.
• Processing takes 15 to 30 minutes on the day of your appointment, and you receive your card the same day in most cases.
• If your base has a long wait, ask whether you can use a different installation or whether they offer walk-in appointments for urgent situations.
• Dependents and retirees need the sponsor's military ID or retiree card and proof of their relationship to the sponsor.

What documents to bring to your appointment

Bring a current photo ID — a driver's license, passport, or state ID card. You also need proof of your military status. If you are active duty or a reservist, bring your current military ID. If you are a dependent, bring the sponsor's military ID or retiree card. If you are a retiree, bring your retiree card or a copy of your retirement orders.

Bring proof of residency dated within the last 60 days — a utility bill, lease, mortgage statement, or bank statement with your name and current address. If you have changed your name since your last ID card, bring the legal document proving the change: a marriage certificate, divorce decree, or court order. Some installations also ask for your Social Security card or a birth certificate, so call ahead to confirm what your specific base requires.

If you are a dependent, bring a birth certificate or adoption papers showing your relationship to the sponsor, plus your own photo ID if you are 10 or older. Spouses need a marriage certificate. Children under 10 typically do not need a photo ID but should have a birth certificate.

Who can get a CAC and who needs a sponsor

Active duty service members, reservists, and National Guard members can get a CAC in their own name. Military retirees can get one using their retiree status. Dependents — spouses and children — can get a CAC only if their sponsor (the active duty member, retiree, or veteran) is may be able to access and sponsors them through DEERS (Defense Enrollment may be able to access Reporting System).

Dependents must be listed in DEERS before they can get a CAC. If you are a dependent and have never had a CAC before, the sponsor should verify that you are already in DEERS. If you are not, the sponsor needs to enroll you first through their military personnel office or through the RAPIDS system. This can add one to two weeks to the process, so check this before scheduling your appointment.

Former spouses and adult children over 21 generally cannot get a CAC unless they have their own military status. Adult children who are still dependents for pay purposes may be able to get one — call the ID card office to confirm your situation.

How long the appointment takes and when you get your card

The appointment itself usually takes 15 to 30 minutes. The ID card office will take your photo, verify your documents, and enter your information into the system. In most cases, you walk out with your card the same day. Some installations print cards on-site; others mail them within a few days. Ask when you schedule whether your base prints same-day or mails afterward.

If there is a problem with your documents or your DEERS record, the office may not be able to issue your card that day. They will tell you what needs to be fixed and when to return. This is rare but happens most often when a dependent's DEERS record is incomplete or when a name change document is missing.

What to do if your base is fully booked

If your installation has a long wait, ask the ID card office whether you can use a different base. Many service members travel to a nearby installation with shorter wait times rather than wait weeks at their home base. You do not need permission to use another base's ID card office — just bring all the same documents and show up at their appointment time.

Some bases also maintain a walk-in window for urgent cases: lost or stolen cards, cards expiring within two weeks, or deployment-related needs. Call ahead to ask whether your base has this option and what counts as urgent.

If you are deploying soon or have a time-sensitive need, explain that when you call. The office may be able to fit you in sooner or direct you to a base with faster service.

Renewing or replacing an expired or lost CAC

Renewal appointments follow the same process as a new card. Schedule through your base's ID card office and bring the same documents. If your card is expiring within 120 days, you can schedule a renewal appointment. Bring your current CAC if you still have it.

If your card is lost or stolen, report it to your security office or your sponsor's chain of command as soon as possible. Then contact the ID card office to schedule a replacement. Bring the same documents as for a new card. Replacement cards are sometimes prioritized and may be issued faster than routine renewals.

If your card is damaged but not lost, bring it to the appointment. The office will assess whether it can be repaired or needs to be replaced.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I schedule a CAC appointment online, or do I have to call?

It depends on your installation. Some bases have an online RAPIDS portal where you can book an appointment; others require a phone call. Check your base's official website for the ID card office section, which will list the booking method. If the website does not say, call the base operator and ask for the ID card office number.

What if I do not have a current photo ID to bring to my appointment?

You will need some form of photo ID. If you do not have a driver's license or passport, ask the ID card office what alternatives they accept — some take school IDs, work IDs, or state ID cards. Call before your appointment to confirm what they will take, because showing up without acceptable ID will result in a rescheduled appointment.

Do I need to bring my Social Security card to the appointment?

Most installations do not require it, but some do. Call your base's ID card office to confirm their specific requirements. If they ask for it and you do not have it, you can usually bring a birth certificate or tax return instead as proof of your Social Security number.

How long is a CAC valid for?

Active duty service members' CACs are valid for five years. Retirees' and dependents' cards are valid for five years as well, unless the dependent's status changes (such as aging out or the sponsor retiring). Check your card's expiration date and schedule a renewal appointment before it expires.

Can my spouse get a CAC appointment while I am deployed?

Yes. Your spouse can schedule and attend the appointment without you present. They will need to bring your military ID or retiree card, proof that they are in DEERS (which you can verify through your personnel office), and their own photo ID and proof of residency. Call the ID card office to confirm they have all the documents they need before the appointment.