DAFI 36-3026V2 — index record
| Number | DAFI 36-3026V2 |
|---|---|
| Title | COMMON ACCESS CARD (CAC) |
| Published | January 15, 2026 |
| Certified current | January 15, 2026 |
| Office of primary responsibility | AF/A1 |
| Issued by | Headquarters, Department of the Air Force |
| Status on the index | Current |
| Last index action | Rewrite, January 15, 2026 |
| Source index | Air Force e-Publishing |
| Index last read | October 20, 2026 |
Copied from Air Force e-Publishing (index). The publication itself is the authority; this page does not summarize or interpret it. Verify the current edition on the index before acting.
From the publication itself
Text below is lifted mechanically from the official PDF (35 pages, read October 20, 2026) with no editing or interpretation. Quote the document, not this page.
Purpose, in the publication’s words
of the Common Access Card. The CAC is the ID card used as a primary physical and logical access token for the DoD for uniformed Services personnel, to include Active Component, Selected Reserve, Participating Individual Ready Reserve, Armed Forces Health Professions Financial Assistance Program, Reserve Officer Training Corps cadets and other eligible populations as referenced in paragraph 1.1.2., USCG civilian employees, eligible non- Department of Defense civilian employees of other Federal Agencies, State Employees of the National Guard, eligible contractor personnel (refer to Terms), and other eligible recipients as approved by USD (P&R). The CAC will be used for physical access to buildings, facilities, installations, and controlled spaces; serves as a primary platform for the public key infrastructure authentication token in the unclassified environment used to access the Department’s computer networks and systems. (T-0) The CAC also will be used to facilitate standardized, uniform access to DoD facilities, installations, and computer systems. (T-0) Note:
Summary of changes, as printed
This document has been revised to comply with Executive Order 14168, Defending Women from Gender Ideology Extremism and Restoring Biological Truth to the Federal Government.
Contents
- Chapter 1—COMMON ACCESS CARD--GENERAL GUIDELINESp. 7
- Chapter 2—PERSONNEL ELIGIBLE FOR THE COMMON ACCESS CARDp. 14
- Attachment 2. DAFI36-3026V2 15 JANUARY 2026p. 17
- Chapter 5—PERSONAL IDENTITY VERIFICATION PRIVACY REQUIREMENTSp. 26
- Chapter 6—RAPIDS ASSISTANCE POINTS OF CONTACTSp. 30
- Attachment 1—GLOSSARY OF REFERENCES AND SUPPORTING INFORMATIONp. 33
- Attachment 2—COMMON ACCESS CARD ENTITLEMENT TABLESp. 45
All 58 contents entries
- Chapter 1—COMMON ACCESS CARD--GENERAL GUIDELINESp. 7
- 1.1. General Guidelinesp. 7
- 1.2. Identity Proofing and Vettingp. 7
- 1.3. Purpose of the Common Access Cardp. 8
- 1.4. Common Access Card Issuance Platformp. 8
- 1.5. General Common Access Card Eligible Categoriesp. 9
- 1.6. Types of Common Access Cardsp. 9
- 1.7. Expiration Datesp. 9
- 1.8. Multiple Common Access Cardp. 10
- 1.9. Reissuancep. 10
- 1.10. Confiscating Common Access Cardsp. 10
- 1.11. Retrieval /Disposition of the Common Access Cardp. 11
- 1.12. Cross-Servicing Agreement for the Common Access Cardp. 12
- 1.13. Temporaryp. 12
- 1.14. Photograph Requirements for Common Access Cardp. 12
- 1.15. Copying Or Distribution Of Cardsp. 12
- 1.16. Restrictionsp. 12
- 1.17. Color Codingp. 12
- 1.18. Protective Sleevesp. 13
- 1.19. Roles and Responsibilitiesp. 13
- Chapter 2—PERSONNEL ELIGIBLE FOR THE COMMON ACCESS CARDp. 14
- 2.1. Active, Selected Reserve, and National Guardp. 14
- 2.2. Foreign Affiliatep. 14
- 2.3. Civilian Affiliatep. 14
- 2.4. Department of Defense/Uniform Services Employeesp. 15
- 2.5. Department of Defense or Uniformed Services Contractor Employeesp. 16
- Attachment 2. DAFI36-3026V2 15 JANUARY 2026p. 17
- 2.6. Identity Proofing and Registrationp. 17
- 2.7. New Members – Identity Vetting and Registrationp. 17
- 2.8. Central Issuing Facilityp. 18
- 2.9. Common Access Card Central Issuance Requesting Stationp. 18
- 2.10. Person-in-Chargep. 18
- 3.1. Qualifying Requirementsp. 19
- 3.2. Security Vetting Proceduresp. 20
- 3.3. Training Requirementsp. 20
- 3.4. Verifying Official/Issuing Official and Local Registration Authorityp. 20
- 3.5. Super Verifying Officialp. 21
- 3.6. Site Security Managerp. 21
- 4.1. Cardstock Managementp. 24
- 4.2. Card Handling and Storage Guidelinesp. 24
- 4.3. Consumables: Printer Ribbon, Laminate, Cleaning Kitp. 24
- 4.4. Equipment Relocationp. 24
- 4.5. Continuity of Operations Planp. 25
- Chapter 5—PERSONAL IDENTITY VERIFICATION PRIVACY REQUIREMENTSp. 26
- 5.1. Personal Identity Verification Requirementsp. 26
- 5.2. Personal Identity Verification – Federal Employees And Contractorsp. 26
- 5.3. Early Issuancep. 26
- 5.6. Expiration Datesp. 27
- 5.7. Common Access Card Public Key Infrastructure Certificatesp. 27
- 5.8. Multiple Common Access Cardp. 28
- 5.9. Limited Off-line Issuance of Temporary Common Access Cardp. 28
- 5.10. Photograph Requirementsp. 28
- Chapter 6—RAPIDS ASSISTANCE POINTS OF CONTACTSp. 30
- 6.1. Uniformed Services DEERS/RAPIDS Project Officesp. 30
- 6.2. DEFENSE MANPOWER DATA CENTER SUPPORT HELPDESK:p. 31
- 6.5. Social Security Administrationp. 32
- Attachment 1—GLOSSARY OF REFERENCES AND SUPPORTING INFORMATIONp. 33
- Attachment 2—COMMON ACCESS CARD ENTITLEMENT TABLESp. 45
Other DAFI publications nearby in the series
- DAFI 36-3002_934AWSUPCASUALTY SERVICES2025-07-29
- DAFI 36-3003MILITARY LEAVE PROGRAM2026-02-26
- DAFI 36-3006SURVIVOR BENEFIT PLAN (SBP) (REGULAR, GUARD, RESERVE, AND RETIRED)2023-06-20
- DAFI 36-3009MILITARY AND FAMILY READINESS CENTERS2022-11-04
- DAFI 36-3012MILITARY ENTITLEMENTS2023-04-06
- DAFI 36-3013ACCOMMODATIONS FOR LACTATING SERVICE MEMBERS AND CIVILIANS2026-04-24
- DAFI 36-3026V1IDENTIFICATION CARDS FOR MEMBERS OF THE UNIFORMED SERVICES, THEIR ELIGIBLE FAMILY MEMBERS, AND OTHER ELIGIBLE PERSONNEL2023-06-01
- DAFI 36-3034REMISSION OF INDEBTEDNESS2023-01-10
500 DAFI records on the Air Force index. Search the full index.