Directions & Map

Phone

202-275-8000 (attended during public hours; emergency message for inclement weather or other unusual circumstances). See the Clerk's Office Information page for more phone numbers.

By Foot

The National Courts Building is located on Madison Place between Pennsylvania Avenue and H Street, Northwest, on the east side of Lafayette Square (the President's Park), across from the White House, in downtown Washington, D.C. The Treasury Department, the Department of Veterans Affairs, and St. John's Church and Parish House are nearby. The Dolley Madison House, the former Cosmos Club, and the Tayloe House, famous landmarks fronting on the square adjacent to the National Courts Building, are actually part of the courthouse complex.

By Subway

Take Metro's Blue or Orange Line to the McPherson Square Station. Exit following signs toward the White House. At street level take Vermont Avenue (bear left at the top of the escalator) in the direction of H Street. Crossing H Street, Vermont Avenue becomes Madison Place. The National Courts Building's main entrance is midblock on the east side of the street.

By Taxi

Madison Place is closed to vehicular traffic. State your destination as "H and Vermont" or "H and Madison Place". An entryway to the courtyard of the National Courts Building is located on the south side of H Street, adjacent to the Dolley Madison House, 1520 H Street, NW., and it provides access to the main entrance to the courthouse.

By Car

From the North: I-95 and the Baltimore-Washington Parkway connect with I-495/95 (Capital Beltway). Follow Baltimore-Washington Parkway, which becomes New York Avenue, into the downtown area. MD 97 (Georgia Avenue) to 16th Street also provides a direct connection to the downtown area.

From the South: I-95 connects directly with I-395 (Shirley Highway) for easy access to the 14th Street corridor downtown.

From the West: I-270 connects directly with I-495 and in conjunction with MD 355 (Wisconsin Avenue), or Connecticut Avenue, provides access to the downtown area. I-66 also provides a direct connection to the downtown area, but it is HOV-2 (carpools and buses only) during rush hours.

From the East: Direct access to the downtown area is provided by US 50 and New York Avenue.

Automobile access to the courthouse is limited to H Street, which is one-way, eastbound.

Parking

The National Courts Building does not have public parking. Some meter parking is available on H, I (Eye), 14th and 15th Streets, and New York Avenue. Public garages or parking lots are located at: 1420 and 1425 New York Avenue; 1401 New York Avenue (enter on H Street near 14th Street); and 815 14th Street.

Accessibility to the disabled

A flight of steps leads to the courtyard level and main entrance of the courthouse. However, the courtyard entryway on H Street providing alternative access to the main entrance is at sidewalk level without barriers. The Clerk's Office, Library, and all three of the courtrooms are also barrier-free.

Deliveries

Couriers must use the main entrance for delivery of briefs and other papers and follow instructions from the court security officers. Delivery of bulky items may be made at the loading dock if arrangements have been made beforehand.

Security

The United States Marshals Service provides security for the National Courts Building. Armed court security officers guard all entrances. Visitors must pass through metal detectors, and packages are x-rayed. Visitors also must sign in and out, and wear badges authorizing access to the floors to be visited.