1. How to obtain a CERN card

The CERN card is issued to members of the personnel and contractors' personnel holding a valid contract, in the framework of the arrival formalities. They must go to the CERN Community Support Centre (building 33) in person to obtain their card, bringing along their passport or identity card.

Family members, beneficiaries of the CERN Pension Fund and persons registered as External in the HR Oracle database must also go to the CERN Community Support Centre.

The different types of cards and their period of validity are defined in Annex II of the Implementation Measures of Operational Circular No. 2.

N.B. To facilitate arrival formalities, new members of the personnel can obtain a visitor card valid for 2 days and printable at home.

Special case: Access to CERN site for the children (aged 20 to 25 years) of associated members of the personnel.

2. How to obtain a family card

Members of the family of a member of the personnel or a beneficiary of the Pension Fund, in accordance with paragraph 9 of the Operational Circular No. 2 "Conditions of access to the fenced parts of the CERN site" and articles S IV 1.01 and 1.02 of the Staff Rules and Regulations may obtain a CERN access card. The persons concerned must be registered in Oracle HR by the service concerned, depending on their status (Records Office or Users Office).

Once the family members have been registered, they go to the CERN Community Support Center (building 33). If the family member is a minor, the person must be accompanied by the member of the personnel. They present a valid identity document to the agent of the CERN Community Support Center, who checks that the family member is registered in Oracle HR, takes a photo and initiates the access card.

The family card is no longer valid if the conditions specified in the Circular and the Staff Rules and Regulations are no longer met. 

3. Extending the validity of the CERN card

When the expiry date printed on the CERN card is reached, the holder of the card must go to the CERN Community Support Centre in person to have it renewed.

4. Returning a CERN card

A holder of a CERN card who no longer fulfils the applicable conditions (e.g. when a contract, assignment or registration expires) must surrender the card, as well as any cards associated with it (e.g. those belonging to family members or accompanying persons), to the CERN Community Support Centre.

5. What to do in the event of a problem?

Any problems concerning the CERN access cards and any cases of refused access to a CERN area, building or experiment should be reported by email to the Access Control Service.

The loss or theft of a CERN card must be declared immediately via the Declaration of loss or theft or the CERN Community Support Centre. Once the declaration has been made, the person concerned should go to the CERN Community Support Centre to obtain a new card. The other card is then blocked.