Badging and
the Access Control
Office (ACO)

The Access Control Office (ACO) is open Monday through Thursday from 7:30 AM to 11:30 AM and 1:30 PM to 4:00 PM; Fridays from 7:30 AM to 11:30 AM.  Closed holidays (announced via Tenant Informational Notices to company signatories).

The Access Control Office is located in Terminal 2 East, First Floor, 3707 N Harbor Drive, San Diego, CA 92101.

You may call or send an e-mail.  The phone number is (619) 400-2765.  Our e-mail address is [email protected] / [email protected].

No; however, appointments are encouraged as wait times can be long.  Remember, the Access Control Office handles access operations for any and all individuals who access anywhere other than the public areas of the Airport.

Not necessarily.  The Access Control Office stops processing at specific times (current times posted in the Access Control Office).  This may mean you will have to return later in the day or the following business day if they can not get to you.  Appointments are highly encouraged to prevent this from happening.

Please refer to the information on the Business Opportunities portion of the San Diego International Airport website (www.san.org).

The cost of a new SAN ID Badge is $38.00.  Certain agencies may be exempt from all or part of this cost.

Only an active signatory can schedule an appointment for a new badge applicant.  Administrative Assistants, badge applicants, or any other supervisor/manager positions who are not a Signatory cannot schedule the appointment.  NOTE: ALL INITIAL BADGE APPOINTMENTS REQUIRE AN ACTIVE SIGNATORY TO BE PRESENT.

Unfortunately, there is no set amount of time it takes a person to clear.  Once a badge application is processed, approval can take three to 30 days.  In some cases, it may take longer.  The TSA & FBI do not process on a first received, first cleared concept.  Once the data has been submitted successfully, there is no way to find out where in the clearing process a badge applicant is.  All the Access Control Office can determine is if the applicant is pending, denied, or approved.

Not necessarily.  TSA does have a list of disqualifying Felony convictions.  This list can be reviewed on the Access Investigation Form Part I.  It is important to understand that not all convictions are disqualifying.  It is also important to understand that though not automatically disqualifying, all records are reviewed and adjudicated (reviewed and ruled on) by the Airport Operator and are subject to denial based on this review and information provided.

If you receive a denial notification, you can appeal this decision.  Your employer/potential employer will receive a notification with specific instructions on this process.  It is important to read these instructions, follow them very carefully, and do so by the deadline.

The Access Control Office only communicates with Signatories (designated liaisons between the company and Access Control Office) for badge-related business.  Specific reasons for, and information related to the denial will only be discussed between the credentialing staff and the individual with the record being denied.  ACO Staff does not, and will not, discuss any specifics with your company other than you were denied and have the option to appeal the decision.

The address on your license and the address on file is not required to match.  The address on file with the Access Control Office should always be the most current.

If you are a resident of California, state law requires you to obtain a California Driver’s License within ten days.  The exceptions are: you are temporarily assigned to this Airport/Jobsite and are home-based in another state; provide proof of active duty service status or that you are a dependent/spouse an active duty service member.

If the ID is not expired, it is acceptable.  However, a case-by-case review will determine whether or not you will be able to process with it. Signatories should reach out to Access Control Office staff for an answer based on the specific situation.

No. The Airport Authority has background investigators who investigate and verify the 10-year history provided as part of the application process.  You will need to follow the instructions in the letter you receive.  Should you want to verify names and contact information, you can contact the Access Control Office, and they can verify the information you received.

Yes. A condition of receiving/retaining your badge is completing all parts of the badging process, including the investigation conducted by the Airport Investigator.

You must stop its access immediately by calling the Access Control Office at (619) 400-2765.  You may also contact your Authorized Signatory to deactivate your lost/stolen SAN ID badge.  If your SAN ID badge is lost/stolen after hours, or if you are unable ro reach the Access Control Office, you must contact the Airport Communications Center at (619) 400-2710 to have your badge deactivated.  To replace your SAN ID, an Authorized Signatory from your company must approve the replacement.  You will be required to come to the Access Control Office to replace your Lost/Stolen SAN ID badge, file a police report, and pay the fee (SIDA badge replacement is $75.00; Sterile badge replacement is $15.00)

You can renew your SAN ID 30 days prior to the date printed on your badge.  Your Signatory must approve the renewal in the SAFE Portal before you come to the Access Control Office.  Failure to complete this step will result in being turned away.

SAN ID badges expire on a specific day of the month.  Though there is a 30-day grace period after expiration, there is no guarantee you will be able to renew your badge or receive your badge the same day.  Your badge will not work once the expiration date passes, and you are not eligible for escort with an expired badge.  If you let your badge exceed the 30-day grace period, you must immediately return it to the Access Control Office and will be required to start the badge process again (fees will apply if applicable).

If your employment ends at the airport, you must immediately return your SAN ID badge to your employer or the Access Control Office.

Yes, the badge holder or Signatory can schedule an appointment for the renewal.  Badge renewal training must be completed before the appointment time.  Appointments are for processing at the front desk, not checking into the training room.

The address on your license and the address on file is not required to match.  The address on file with the Access Control Office should always be the most current.

If you are a resident of California, state law requires you to obtain a California Driver’s License within 10 days. The exceptions are: you are temporarily assigned to this Airport/Jobsite and are home-based in another state; provide proof of active duty service status or that you are a dependent/spouse an active duty service member.

If the ID is not expired, it is acceptable.  However, a case-by-case review will determine whether or not you will be able to process with it. Signatories should reach out to Access Control Office staff for an answer based on the specific situation.

First and foremost, there must be an operational need to operate a vehicle on the AOA. Once that has been established, you will need to fill out the application and submit the packet to the Access Control Office for review and processing.

A complete application packet includes a typed application, current registration for each vehicle being requested, and a current Certificate of Insurance with a minimum of $10M coverage for either Automobile Liability or a combination of Automobile Liability and Excess Liability.

No. Permits are not transferrable. They are assigned to a specific vehicle when issued. If you sell a vehicle or remove it from your fleet for other reasons, be sure to retain the permit, return it to the Access Control Office, and submit an application packet for a new permit for the new vehicle.

Insurance requirements for being issued a permit are rigorous. You will need to submit a Certificate of Insurance that evidences a minimum of $10M coverage in either Automobile Liability, or a combination of Automobile Liability and Excess Liability. Insurance cards kept in the glove box of a vehicle do not satisfy insurance requirements.

Yes. When applying, you must include a picture/copy of the temporary plate issued to that vehicle. Once you receive the registration and permanent plates from the DMV, you must provide the updated information to the Access Control Office.

No. You can apply for a vehicle escort placard. The escort placard can be used for deliveries, repairs, off-site mechanics, or someone visiting temporarily. That vehicle must be escorted through a vehicle gate and at all times while in motion on the AOA. Think of the escort placard like a visitor badge, but for the vehicle.

Yes. When applying for a permit, include the rental agreement in place of the registration.

AOA permits expire every June 30. The Access Control Office will communicate the audit process with companies.

Vehicle escort placards do not expire. However, they are physically verified at least once a year by the Access Control Office.

Companies are responsible for ensuring the Access Control Office has the most current documentation on file. Failure to keep current documentation on file may result in denial of access to the AOA until resolved. Insurance submissions to the Airport’s Risk Team do not satisfy the requirement of updating the Access Control Office.

Lost/stolen permits will incur a $15.00 replacement fee.

Lost/stolen escort placards will incur a $15.00 replacement fee.

Once you complete the computer-based training, you should receive an email within a week letting you know the following date/time the training is held. This training is typically held on the last Friday of the month. However, this may change from month-to-month as it is only offered on Friday afternoons when the Access Control Office staff are available. Training is in-person, not computer-based.

This message indicates that your badge has expired. Take a look at the expiration date on your badge. If it has passed, you will need to renew your badge before getting back into the SAFE Portal.

This message indicates your signatory training has expired. You will need to go to the Access Control Office training room and complete the Signatory training before access to SAFE can be reinstated. Computer-based training is required of all signatories annually. The Access Control Office encourages signatories to take their annual recurrent training when they renew their badge, so they expire on the same day, although not required.

No. Anytime a privilege is added to an existing badge holder, a Signatory needs to log in and assign that privilege in SAFE.

No. Anytime a privilege is added to an existing badge holder, a Signatory needs to log in and assign that privilege in SAFE.

Anytime a privilege needs to be removed from an existing badge holder, a Signatory needs to log in and remove that privilege in SAFE. Once this is done, the badge holder or Signatory needs to bring the badge to the Access Control Office within 48 hours for reprinting.

Contact the Access Control Office to reset your login credentials. The Forgot feature of SAFE is not functional.

Yes. You will need to enter their information in SAFE before bringing them to our office. Along with entering their information, you will also assign them the badge type and any privileges you need them to have. Once it is successfully submitted, you will see their UPID number has been generated. Add this to their application as confirmation you have completed the data entry step.

Yes. You will need to enter their information in SAFE before bringing them to our office. When entering their name, date of birth, and social security number, SAFE will prompt you that they already exist and ask if you want to merge the profiles. You do want to merge the profile. Along with entering their information, you will also assign them the badge type and any privileges you need them to have.

Contact the Access Control Office and let them know the situation.  If the request justifies the requirements for being issued a key, you will be given the steps to receive a key.

No. Like your badge, the key is assigned specifically to a person and is not to be shared under any circumstances.  Your coworker needs to contact the Access Control Office to see if they are eligible to receive their own key.

Yes. The Access Control Office can audit any media at any time with or without notice.  The TSA can also audit in the same manner, separate from the Airport.

Read the notice carefully and comply with any/all instructions and deadlines.  Failure to comply with either could result in a suspension of badging privileges for a company.

You must be sponsored by the company or have a direct agreement with the airport. Please refer to the information on the Business Opportunities portion of the San Diego International Airport website (www.san.org).

Once a company has been confirmed as having an agreement with the Airport Authority, the new company shall appoint a Senior Authorized Agent (Senior Signatory). The appointment requires a specific set of forms/letters from a corporate-level official affiliated with the company. This person will be enrolled, along with the company, by the Access Control Office. Once this person has cleared their background and passed their badge testing, they will be responsible for onboarding any additional staff for their company.