Inauguration tickets distributed this week: What to know about requests, resellers, more
With the 60th Inauguration a week away, officials are starting to distribute more than 220,000 tickets to the public.
Beginning Monday, Jan. 13, the color-coded tickets are being sent to members of Congress, who are then responsible for distributing tickets among their constituents who applied for them, the Joint Congressional Committee on Inaugural Ceremonies (JCCIC) said in a release on Monday.
Tickets are free, but not everyone who applied for a ticket is guaranteed to get one.
The announcement comes a week before President-elect Donald Trump and Vice President-elect JD Vance are set to be sworn in on the west front of the U.S. Capitol on Jan. 20.
The final deadlines to request tickets are set by members of Congress. Some Congress members' deadlines have already passed, while others have taken down their online request forms. Those still looking to gain entry may be tempted to search for tickets elsewhere, but are advised to be extra careful of scams.
Here's what to know about inauguration tickets.
Deadlines to request tickets
Tickets to attend inauguration ceremonies on the grounds of the U.S. Capitol building can be requested through your local Congress member.
Ticket application details can vary between Congress members, so the process won't be identical for everyone hoping to attend. Some representatives and senators have already stopped taking requests for tickets, and many receive more requests than tickets, meaning not everyone who wants one will get the chance to attend.
Some, like Congressman Dave Min of California, don't have a specific deadline listed and use a lottery or raffle system to select which requests are granted. Others, like the office of Rep. James Comer of Kentucky, have already shut down ticket requests.
Those holding out hope for last-minute requests can find their local senators and representatives to check their procedures and availability.
Can you resell inauguration tickets?
Tickets are available for free and are not intended for sale or resale and are non-transferrable, according to the JCCIC.
There are websites and secondary ticketing sources on which people attempt to sell or buy their tickets, but those resellers are generally not sanctioned or approved by the government, JCCIC or the inauguration committee.
The same applies to individuals looking to sell their tickets on social media or person-to-person. There is no official or approved resaler of inauguration tickets and those sold through unofficial channels cannot be authenticated. Plus, if you get ripped off, there is no real recourse to try to recoup your cash.
Can you get tickets mailed to you or delivered digitally?
No, the JCCIC said tickets cannot be mailed and must be picked up in-person from your Congress member in Washington, D.C., with a valid ID that matches the original ticket request.
Some Congress members have noted tickets will not be available for pick-up on Inauguration Day itself.
Do you need tickets for all Inauguration Day events?
Tickets being distributed via Congress members allow ticket holders to attend the swearing-in ceremony on the grounds of the U.S. Capitol.
Other events throughout the day are not ticketed, however.
The Presidential Parade, which begins around 2:30 p.m., is free for all, if you can manage to find a spot to stand. The parade begins at 3rd Street and Pennsylvania Avenue, so line yourself up on Pennsylvania Ave early for your best chance.
The National Mall will also still be open to the public, though parts of it may be cordoned off or subject to strict security. According to JCCIC, non-ticketed viewing areas on the National Mall west of 4th Street NW will be open to all.
Inaugural balls both official and unofficial are also a grand way to celebrate. The official balls require tickets that can be requested through the 60th Presidential Inaugural Committee, but unofficial ball tickets can be purchased directly at the venue. Again, the committee reiterates tickets are non-transferable.