Filming

Filming Permits on Park Land

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.

For more information about if your filming activity requires a permit, visit the National Park Service's Filming and Photography Permits page.

How to Apply for a Filming Permit

1. If you are interested in applying for a Filiming or Still Photography Permit, fill out the Filming and Still Photography Permit application.
2. Once a permit applicaiton has been completed, email your application to the permiting office: FOMC_permits@nps.gov
3. All applications will have a non-refundable $100 application fee associated with them. Payments can be made via credit card or check. In your application email, specify which payment method is preferred.
4. Once an application has been submitted and the application fee has been paid, the permits coordinator will review your application with the park management team to determine whether your permit application will be approved. Please allow at least six weeks for special use permit processing.

Filming Costs

Permit Application: $100 (non-refundable)
Location Fee:
Cost Recovery: Cost recovery is charged at a dollar-in dollar-out ratio to the permittee, meaning whatever the cost is to the NPS to manage the permit is the exact cost that will be charged to the permittee. For permits that require park staff to monitor the permits, this price will be the hourly rate of the park staff. For planning purposes, the park recommends permittees plan for an estimated cost of $50 per ranger per hour.

Insurance Requirements

You may be required to obtain liability insurance naming the United States of America as additionally insured in an amount commensurate with the risk posed to park resources by your proposed activity. You may also be asked to post a bond to ensure the payment of all charges and fees and the restoration of the area if necessary.

Considerations for Permits

Federal procedures (31 USC7701) require your Social Security Number or Tax Identification Number on the back of all checks accepted for deposit in the amount of $50 or more. You must supply one or the other in order for your check to be accepted and your application to be processed.

The information provided on the application will be used to determine whether a permit will be issued, so please provide as much detail as possible. You will be notified of the disposition of the application and the necessary steps to secure your final permit. If your request is approved, a permit containing applicable conditions and regulations will be sent to the person you have designated on the application. The permit must be signed and returned to the park prior to the event.

The mission of the National Park Service is to preserve and protect our resources as stated in the Organic Act… "The Service…shall provide and regulate the use of …National Parks.[its] purpose is to conserve the scenery and the natural and historic objects and the wildlife therein and to provide for the enjoyment of the same in such a manner and by such means as will leave them unimpaired for the enjoyment of future generations."(16 USC 1)

It is the policy of Hampton National Historic Site to accommodate requests for special use permits when and where possible, while adhering to this mandate. Therefore, our primary concern is to assess potential resource damage and disruption of normal public use prior to authorization of any special use activity.