Where the Frances Perkins Building Is and How to Get There

The U.S. Department of Labor's national office is housed in the Frances Perkins Building at 200 Constitution Ave NW, on the northeast corner of Constitution Avenue and 3rd Street NW in Washington, DC. The public visitor entrance, known as the Fountain Entrance, sits one block north of Constitution Avenue on 3rd Street NW, at 3rd and C Streets NW.

Because parking in the area is limited and traffic is often heavy, Metro is the easiest way to reach the building. The closest station is Judiciary Square on the Red line. From there, visitors exit toward 4th Street NW, take the escalators to street level, cross D Street NW, and follow the diagonal walk toward the west side of the building.

Driving directions vary by approach: from the south and east, drivers use I-395 or US-50 toward the 3rd Street tunnel; from the west, they cross the Theodore Roosevelt Bridge and take the Constitution Avenue NW exit. Travelers arriving by air can use Metro from Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport, Washington Dulles International Airport, or Baltimore/Washington International Thurgood Marshall Airport, with transfers to the Red line where needed.

Once at the building, visitors must pass through airport-style security. Anyone with a state-issued driver's license that is not compliant with the REAL ID Act of 2005 should bring another acceptable government-issued photo ID, though alternate access controls exist for those without one. The on-site Frances Perk Café is open to the public from 7:30am to 12:30pm daily, though hours may shift on days with special events.

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What Visitors Should Know Before Arriving

Metro Remains the Least Friction Option

The DOL's own guidance emphasizes public transit over driving, and the reasoning is straightforward: the building sits in a congested part of downtown Washington with scarce visitor parking. Anyone arriving by car should expect to pay for parking and, if they want to use DOL facilities, arrange approval from a DOL sponsor in advance.

Security and ID Requirements Are Part of the Visit

Federal buildings in Washington routinely impose screening procedures, and the DOL is no exception. The REAL ID note is a practical reminder that not all state-issued licenses are accepted for federal building access, so visitors should check their ID status before traveling. The policy also offers a backup path for people who lack a second form of identification, which reduces the risk of being turned away.

On-Site Amenities Are Limited but Public

The cafeteria and post office are open to the public on weekdays, but only after passing security screening. That makes the Fountain Entrance the gateway for almost everything a visitor might need inside the building, including basic services like food and mail.

Practical Steps for Planning Your Visit

  • Take the Metro Red line to Judiciary Square Station rather than driving; parking near the Frances Perkins Building is limited and requires sponsor approval for DOL lots.
  • If you must drive, follow the route appropriate to your approach: I-395 North and US-50 West both lead to the 3rd Street tunnel area, while western approaches use the Theodore Roosevelt Bridge and the Constitution Avenue NW exit.
  • Bring a REAL ID-compliant driver's license or a second acceptable government-issued photo ID; without one, expect to use alternate access controls at security.
  • Arrive with time for airport-style screening, and remove laptops and other electronics from bags before reaching the checkpoint.
  • Plan around the Frances Perk Café's hours (7:30am–12:30pm) if you need food on site, and note that hours can adjust for special events.