Office of Defense Cooperation (ODC)

Personnel Country Clearance/Request for Visit Information

The Office of Defense Cooperation, Germany handles personnel country clearance pertaining to foreign military sales. US industry and military personnel must submit a country clearance/request for visit 30 days prior to visiting military and/or industrial sites within Germany.  This is achieved by submitting a country clearance/request for visit through this office. ODC will coordinate all visit requests with the German Ministry of Defense (MoD). Country clearance for military aircraft and/or equipment is handled through the Defense Attaché Office.

Personnel Clearance Process:

Review the Germany portion of the Foreign Clearance Guide (DoD 4500.54-G) and complete your Country Clearance Request accordingly.

Request for visits may be submitted by via fax, e-mail or through the Aircraft and Personnel Automated Clearance System (APACS). All requests should be submitted at least 30 days prior to the visit.

• Download a country clearance/request for visit request form (pdf). Fax your completed form to 011-49-30-8305-2445 or e-mail to lbarbour@san.osd.mil
• The Aircraft and Personnel Automated Clearance System (APACS) is found at https://apacs.dtic.mil/apacs/

Replies to visit requests will be sent from the ODC using the same method as received.

Top Six Mistakes in Requesting a Country Clearance

1. Failure to provide precise location information. Organization, name, city and correct address are needed.
2. Failure to meet time requirements for submitting clearance requests. Thirty (30) days is the minimum lead time.
3. Omitting visitors date of birth, place of birth, clearance level and passport number.
4. Failure to provide a Point of Contact (POC) in Germany. This is the person who will pass your visit information to the organization's security office. Visit requests cannot be forwarded to organizations without a POC name, phone and fax number for each organization to be visited.
5. Failure to provide a correct phone and fax number of the requesting agency.
6. Failure to confirm visit details/itinerary in advance. ODC cannot coordinate your schedule requests with your host in Germany. Your request may be denied if your host is not previously informed of your visit.

Points of Contact

Office of Defense Cooperation (ODC)
Telephone:  011.49.30.8305.2116
Fax:  011.49.30.8305.2445
E-mail:  lbarbour@san.osd.mil

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