Ellen DeGeneres was thrilled to tears to receive the Presidential Medal of Freedom Tuesday at the White House, but the TV talk show host is glad she even made it inside.

The actress and comedian was one of 20 recipients of America’s highest civilian distinction at the East Room of the White House Tuesday night, in a ceremony hosted by U.S. President Barack Obama. But it took some time for the Secret Service to let her in, as she had forgotten her ID.

In a photo tweeted before the ceremony, DeGeneres is shown sitting on a park bench: “They haven’t let me in to the White House yet because I forgot my ID. #NotJoking.”

Eventually she made it to the ceremony, where the actress and comedian became emotional as she was praised by U.S. President Barack Obama for her courage in coming out as gay on television nearly 20 years ago.

Another Presidential Medal of Freedom recipient, actor Robert De Niro, missed his own name being called for the medal while he comforted an emotional DeGeneres as she returned to her seat.

After the ceremony, DeGeneres tweeted a selfie with her wife Portia De Rossi inside the White House, writing: “.@POTUS Barack Obama just awarded me the #MedalofFreedom. I hope it serves as an ID. I have no idea how I’m getting home.

Other honorees Tuesday night included actor Tom Hanks, SNL creator (and Canadian) Lorne Michaels and former NBA star Michael Jordan.