Permits & Reservations

 

Special Use Permits

A Special Use Permit (SUP) is required for all activities for which regulations at 36CFR Parts 1-7 and Part 14 specify that a permit is required. SUPs are required for weddings, public assemblies, special events, First Amendment rallies, filming, telecommunications, and right-of-way permits for utilities and roads, as well as for other non-visitor activities occurring on park land.

A special park use is defined as a short-term activity that takes place in a park area, and that:

• provides a benefit to an individual, group or organization rather than the public at large;
• requires written authorization and some degree of management control from the National Park Service (NPS) in order to protect park resources and the public interest;
• is not prohibited by law or regulation;
• is not initiated, sponsored, or conducted by the NPS; and is not managed under a concession contract, a recreation activity for which the NPS charges a fee, or a lease.

SUP applications should be submitted well in advance. To contact us with questions regarding permits of any kind, please use this e-mail form.

Weddings

NOTE: Due to the seawall reconstruction project, wedding permits will not be issued for dates after December 31, 2025. Project completion date is still to be determined.

Please select the links below for information about having your wedding ceremony on the Castillo grounds. The forms are in PDF format. If you need them in another format, please contact us.

• Wedding Information
• Map of grounds
• Application

Click here for information about weddings at Fort Matanzas..

 

Filming, Still Photography & 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 at e-mail us for more information about filming, still photography, and audio recording.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

 

Do I need a permit to film, take still photographs, or record audio in a park?

No, provided the filming, still photography, or audio recording activity involves eight or fewer individuals and meets 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.

If you believe that your filming, still photography, or audio recording activity may require a permit, please contact the park before you conduct your activity for more information.

Who needs a permit for filming, still photography, or audio recording in parks?

You may need a permit if your group is more than eight individuals, or the activity does not meet any 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. 

If you believe that your filming, still photography, or audio recording activity may require a permit, please contact the park before you conduct your activity for more information. 

I have a permit for an activity. Do I need another permit to film, photograph, or record audio?

No. A separate permit and fee payment is not required for filming, photography, or audio recording that is associated with a permitted event, such as a wedding, sporting event, demonstration or other activity.

I’m a content creator, student, or with a news media organization, do I need a permit?

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.  You do not need a permit if the activity involves eight or fewer individuals and meets 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, and other visitors; and 

• Will not result in additional administrative costs for the National Park Service. 

If you believe that your filming or photography activity may require a permit, please contact the park for more information.

What fees will I have to pay for a permit?

When a permit is required, the National Park Service will charge location fees and fees to recover its costs to administer the permit, including application fees.

Application Fee:             
$200 (non-refundable)

Monitoring Fee:
$50/hr. per NPS monitor

Location Fee - Filming:

• 1 - 2 people, handheld equipment only $0/day
• 1 - 10 people $150/day
• 11 - 30 people $250/day
• 31 - 49 people $500/day
• Over 50 people $750/day

Location Fee - Still Photography & Audio Recording:

• 1 - 10 people $50/day
• 11 - 30 people $150/day
• Over 30 people $250/day

Even though I’m not required to get a permit, can I still request one?

Yes, you may request, and the National Park Service may issue a permit even when one is not required.

How do I apply for a permit?

Permit applications are available on this webpage or at the park’s administrative office located a 1 S. Castillo Drive Saint Augustine, FL 32084. If you believe that your filming, still photography, or audio recording activity may require a permit, please contact the park at [e-mail] for more information.

• Short Application 10-931 is used for simple photography or filming events that include any of the conditions mentioned above would cause the need for a permit.  Examples of this type of permit would be an event that would involve 10 – 15 people and a couple of set props would be used.

• Long Application 10-932 is used for more complex photography events that include any of the conditions mentioned above that would cause the need for a permit.  Examples of this type of permit would be an event involving multiple days, overnight events, substantial use of sets or staging equipment such as stages, generators, track lighting or filming equipment, etc.

When should I apply for a permit?

Applications should be submitted as far in advance of your planned date as possible and will be accepted up to one year out. Once received, park staff will issue an invoice for the non-refundable application fee via the Pay.gov payment platform.

Processing will begin once the application fee is received. Email is the preferred method of communication and typically ensures the quickest response.

What about photography workshops?

If you are planning a photography workshop as a business, you may need a commercial use authorization (CUA). For further details, please contact us HERE.

 

Reservations

Reservations are not required to visit the Castillo de San Marcos unless you are bringing a school group. For more information, visit our Field Trips page.

 

Commercial Use Authorizations

In compliance with federal law, the Castillo de San Marcos and Fort Matanzas National Monuments have instituted a commercial use authorization program.

All businesses who wholly or partly provide commercial services at the parks must obtain a commercial use authorization.

For additional information you may e-mail us.

All other Request

All other activities would be requested under this category. Please include detailed information in the Demonstrations and Distribution of Materials application about the proposed event to help speed the processing of your request. The forms are in PDF format. If you need them in another format, please contact us.