Permits

Special Use Permits

A Special Use Permit is required for any activity that provides a benefit to an individual, group, or organization, rather than to the park or the public at large. Many of the events that require permits also require some degree of oversight from National Park Service staff.

Governors Island National Monument has spaces for filming, still photography, special events, and artistic installations and performances in the green areas of the map to the left. For activities on all other areas of Governors Island, please contact Trust for Governors Island. Fill out the appropriate permit application below. (Please note Adobe Reader or another PDF viewer is needed to access the application.) Please read ALL of the information before submitting your application.

Application Process

To apply for a Permit, read the information below, complete the appropriate form, and pay an application fee of $50 and other cost recovery as applicable. Payment may be made online via pay.gov (the permit coordinator will issue the e-bill after receipt of a completed application), or via check or money order via mail:

Governors Island National Monument
National Park Service
ATTN: Business Management Program
26 Wall Street
New York, NY 10005

Please make check or money order payable to the "National Park Service". Note that this is only an application form. A permit form will be sent to you as soon as we approve your proposed activity. No Special Use Permit is valid until signed by the Superintendent or other authorized federal official. Please be advised that additional fees maybe assessed, depending upon the nature of the activity.
Please note: No permit is valid until signed by the Superintendent or authorized federal official.

For more information

If you would like information regarding special use permits and/or short term leasing, contact the Business Management Program at masi_special_park_use@nps.gov

View and print the Permit Instructions and Requirements.

View and print the Application for Special Park Use Permit

First Amendment Activities

We encourage citizens to exercise rights guaranteed by the Constitution. However, the courts have recognized that activities associated with the exercise of these rights may be reasonably regulated to protect the public and park resources. Therefore, such First Amendment activities involving over 25 participants require Special Use Permits, and National Park Service staff may regulate the time, place, and manner in which they are conducted. Some examples are:

• distribution and/or sale of printed matter
• religious services
• public demonstrations or assemblies, etc.
• collecting signatures for petitions

View and print the First Amendment Permit Instructions and Requirements.

View and print the First Amendment application.

Filming, Still Photography, and Audio Recording

The National Park Service conserves and protects areas of untold beauty, grandeur and historical importance for current and future generations. The tradition of capturing images of these special places started with explorers who traveled with paint and canvas or cameras. Sharing these images helped inspire the creation of national parks. Today, visitors to national parks continue to memorialize their visits through filming and photography.

On January 4, 2025, the EXPLORE Act was signed into law (Public Law 118-234) and has been codified at 54 U.S.C. 100905. Section 125 of the Act changed how the National Park Service will manage filming, photography, and audio recording in park areas.

Key elements of the new law include:

• In most cases, permits and fees are not required for filming, still photography, or audio recording that involves eight or fewer individuals. In order to avoid permit and fee requirements, the filming, still photography, or audio recording must meet all of the following conditions:
  • Occurs in areas open to the public;
  • Uses hand-carried equipment only;
  • Does not require exclusive use of a site;
  • Does not adversely impact park resources, values, or other visitors; and
  • Is not likely to result in additional administrative costs for the National Park Service.
• Permits and fees are never required for filming, still photography, or audio recording that is associated with an activity or event that has been authorized under a written instrument (e.g., permit or agreement), such as a wedding, sporting event, demonstration or other activity.
• All filming, still photography, and audio recording is treated the same under the new law. It does not matter whether it is commercial, non-commercial, for content creation, by a student, or conducted by media or for news gathering.
• When a filming, still photography, or audio recording permit is required, the National Park Service will charge location fees and fees to recover its costs to administer the permit, including application fees.
• Individuals and groups conducting filming, still photography, or audio recording remain subject to all other laws and regulations applicable to visitors to park areas, including those requiring permits for certain activities (e.g., special events or demonstrations) and those prohibiting disturbance or other negative impacts to natural or cultural resources.

• Individuals and groups conducting filming, still photography, or audio recording are subject to entrance and/or recreation fees that may apply in park areas even when a permit is not required.

Please contact the park for more information about filming, still photography, and audio recording.

Filming, still photography and audio recording permit application