Fifty-Seventh Presidential Inauguration

Ticket request deadline has passed (December 7th, 2012).

For more information please call my Washington, D.C. office at (202) 225-3601.

On January 21, 2013, Barack Obama will be sworn in for his second term as President of the United States.

My office will do its best to ensure that constituents who request tickets receive them, but as you can imagine, there is significant demand.

Please be aware that in the past some organizations have tried to sell fake tickets - you can only receive Inaugural ceremony tickets from a congressional office, and the tickets must be picked up in person in Washington, D.C. the day before Inauguration. Any group that suggests differently is giving you incorrect information. Additional information is available at the Joint Congressional Committee on Inaugural Ceremonies website.

Ticket Selection Process

Please call my Washington, D.C. office at 202-225-3601 to request a ticket to the Inauguration ceremony.

Due to the limited amount of tickets available to each congressional office and the high level of interest, we will:

Only be granting tickets to constituents, and
Only issue tickets at a maximum of four tickets per request.

It is important to note that this event has historically taken place on some of the coldest days of the year. Gates open at 9:00AM and no food, beverage, strollers, folding chairs, or the like will be permitted past security. For these reasons, the Joint Congressional Committee on Inauguration strongly recommends not using tickets for small children. All children, regardless of age, will require a ticket.

My office will accept ticket requests through Friday, December 7th.  After that date, requests will no longer be taken. Those receiving tickets will be notified quickly thereafter via email with additional information. Tickets will not be mailed. They must be picked up in person on Sunday, January 20th in Washington, DC.  Photo ID will be required and tickets cannot be picked up by a designee.

A Few Notes Regarding Inauguration

The swearing-in ceremony will be on Monday, January 21, 2013. Most tickets will be standing room only and at a distance from the podium.

It is important that you also contact your Senators to request tickets from them, too. Both Members of the House and Senate have separate ticket allotments to be given out.

Congressional offices do not receive tickets to events other than the swearing-in ceremony. Details regarding the parade and inaugural balls and galas are handled by the Presidential Inaugural Committee.

Useful Information

Be sure to look into Washington D.C.’s user-friendly transportation system, Metro. Traffic and congestion will be heavy on Inauguration Day and in the days leading up to it and the Metrorail system will be a good way to get around the crowded city. There are also alternative options, such as Capitol Bikeshare, a self-service bike rental program.

Please be sure to check out the resources on my website for Visiting Washington, D.C. including a fairly comprehensive list of Washington tourism opportunities.