![]() NPS National Mall and Memorial Parks feature some of the nation’s most iconic sites attracting amateur and professional photographers and videographers from around the world. Only still photography requires a permit, the visiting public photographing or recording their visit do not require a permit. The still photography permit is used as a management tool so photography does not interfere with other permitted activities or park visitors. Any payment is cost recovery or goes to projects that keep the park scenic for the benefit of visitors and permittees.
The Division of Permits Management issues still photography permits for all National Park Service parkland managed by:
Chesapeake and Ohio Canal National Historical Park from DC to the Great Falls District George Washington Memorial Parkway Manassas National Battlefield Park National Capital Parks-East National Mall and Memorial Parks Presidents Park (White House and Ellipse) Rock Creek Park Prince William Forest Park Wolf Trap National Park for the Performing Arts. A permit is generally required under the following circumstances:
• Still photography is intended for immediate or eventual sale. • Still photography involves the use of a model (or any on-camera talent), set, or prop. • Still photography/filming has potential to result in damage to park resources or significant disruption of normal visitor use. • The photographer wants to go into areas not open to the public or before or after normal visitation hours. • The National Park Service and/or US Park Police incur costs for providing on-site management and oversight to protect agency resources or minimize visitor use conflicts. When in doubt, contact the Division of Permits Management prior to going to the park to shoot photos or video. 36 CFR 5.5 governs how the National Park Service manages audio recording in parks. Audio recording generally does not require a permit unless any of the following situations apply:
• It takes place at a location where or when members of the public are generally not allowed. • It uses equipment that requires mechanical transport, such as dollies and cranks. • It uses equipment that requires an external power source other than a battery pack. • The National Park Service determines staff is required to monitor the recording activity for safety or to minimize potential impacts to park resources and other park visitors and permittees. Applying for a PermitApplication FormSubmit a Still Photography Application to the Division of Permits Management in person or via mail or FAX: National Mall and Memorial Parks Applications can be delivered Monday through Friday from 8 am to 4 pm, except federal holidays or other National Mall and Memorial Parks office closures. Still Photography Applications are not accepted via email. Applications are accepted up to one year in advance and a minimum of four days from the activity. Application Processing CostA non-refundable application processing cost of $90 is required with the submission of the Still Photography Application. Follow the instructions on the application form for submitting a payment by credit card, check, or money order. Location FeesLocation fees directly benefit park visitors and permittees through park beautification, interpretation, and maintenance projects. Commercial Photography permits are issued for a specific location or locations. Blanket permits for the entire National Mall & Memorial Parks are not issued. Please the list exact locations of the park in your application. (For example: not “on the Mall”, instead "National Mall between 3rd-4th Streets or "Washington Monument Grounds".
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Number of People | Cost Per Day |
---|---|
1-10 people | $50 per day |
11-30 people | $150 per day |
30+ people | $250 per day |
Please include specific locations for filming and photography. Each area requires a separate location fee but the individual locations within the park are included under one location fee.
Thomas Jefferson Memorial (National Mall and Memorial Parks)
Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool Steps (National Mall and Memorial Parks)
Lower level of Meridian Hill Park (Rock Creek Park)
Application Processing Cost = $90.00
Location Fee = $300.00 ($150 for National Mall and Memorial Parks and $150 for Rock Creek Park)
Next Steps
A permits specialist will contact you if additional meetings, discussions, or documents are required and continue to walk you through the permit process. Still Photography permits must be issued prior to holding the activity in the park.
Things to Know Before Applying
A permits specialist will guide applicants through the permitting process and can also be contacted before applying to answer any questions. Please also review the Permits Resources related to your proposed activity.
Additional Required Documents and Steps
Larger or more complex photography and filming activities may require additional meetings and more in-depth plans prior to approving the permit, such as site layout, setup/cleanup schedule, equipment lists, etc.
Locations and Location-Specific Requirements
Still photography permits are generally permitted in areas and times also open to the general public with some exceptions where activity is restricted due to visitation, safety, resource considerations. Please review the following areas with restrictions and copyright requirements.
Restricted Areas
Filming and photography are NOT permitted within the restricted areas in accordance with 36 Code of Federal Regulations 7.96 (g)(3)(ii)((E) and the Superintendent's Compendium:
- Franklin Delano Roosevelt Memorial unless copyright approval is obtained
- Korean War Veteran Memorial (TBD)
- Lincoln Memorial above the white marble steps
- Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial inner memorial Stone of Hope
- Thomas Jefferson Memorial within the outer columns
- Vietnam Veterans Memorial Apex
- Washington Monument within the circle of flags
- World War II Memorial in front of the field of gold stars
Copyrights Required
While many of the monuments and memorials are in the public domain, therefore free of copyright concerns, several are not in the public domain and the permittee will need approval from the artist or their conservator to use the images for commercial purposes.
The permittee shall own all rights of every kind in and to all (photographs/film/recording) made in the park and shall have the right to use such material in any manner it may desire without limitation or restriction of any kind. Permit does not grant any rights regarding the filming, photography or recording of individuals on National Park Service property. In addition, right owned by other individuals or institutions are not impacted or changed by this permit.
Persons granted filming/photography/recording permits retain all rights to the photographs/film/recordings made in the park to use in any manner they may desire without limitation or restriction. These rights do not extend to the photography or recording of individuals, or of NPS property. Furthermore, the rights owned by other individuals or institutions are not impacted or changed by this.
Please note this is not a complete listing and may not reflect the most current information.
Memorial |
Section |
Copyright Holder |
Contact Information |
---|---|---|---|
Franklin D. Roosevelt Memorial |
The Appalachian Farm Couple (Room 2) |
George Segal (copyright currently held by the |
136 Davidson's Mill Road |
Franklin D. Roosevelt Memorial |
Eagle Alcove and the Presidential Seal |
Tom Hardy (deceased) |
224 NW 10th Avenue |
Franklin D. Roosevelt Memorial |
Eleanor Roosevelt statue (Room 4), Franklin D. Roosevelt with Fala statues (Room 3), First Inaugural statue (Room 1), Social Programs statue (Room 2) |
Neil Estern |
432 Cream Hill Road |
Franklin D. Roosevelt Memorial |
Franklin D. Roosevelt in Wheelchair statue and Prologue (Prelude Room) |
Robert Graham Studio |
5856 Adams Blvd. |
Franklin D. Roosevelt Memorial |
Funeral Cortege (Room 4) |
Leonard Baskin (copyright currently held by Lisa Baskin) |
Box 314 |
Franklin D. Roosevelt Memorial |
Stone Carver (inscriptions throughout the memorial) |
John Benson |
7 Cross Street |
George Washington Memorial Parkway |
U.S. Marine Corps War Memorial |
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Korean War Veterans Memorial |
|
Korean War Veterans Memorial Foundation, Inc. |
10301 McKinstry Mill Road |
Martin Luther King, Jr. Memorial |
Dr. King’s image and words used in the memorial |
King family |
Intellectual Properties Management inc. |
Vietnam Veterans Memorial |
Three Soldiers statue |
Associated Press |
|
Vietnam Veterans Memorial |
Vietnam Women's Memorial statue |
Eastern National |
Stacy Madalena |
Vietnam Veterans Memorial |
|
Vietnam Veterans Memorial Fund |
1012 14th Street, Suite 201 |
Additional Associated Costs
A refundable cost recovery deposit may be required to pay for costs incurred by the National Park Service resulting from the activity, such as administrative cost (permit monitoring, utilities, management of activity), restoration and/or rehabilitation, or cleanup of parkland. Cost recovery is based on the size and scope of the event and can range from $500 to $500,000 or more.
Once a permit application is reviewed by staff and a security need is determined, US Park Police will provide a recommended staffing plan with a fee schedule, rate per officer, per hour (for a minimum of 5 hours) to the applicant. Payment for USPP services must be made upon receipt of cost recovery notification. Rates are subject to change and additional rates may apply.
A permits specialist will guide applicants through the permitting process and assist with event-specific details. Please also consult Permits Resources.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Chesapeake and Ohio Canal National Historical Park from DC to the Great Falls District
George Washington Memorial Parkway
Manassas National Battlefield Park
National Capital Parks-East
National Mall and Memorial Parks
Presidents Park (White House and Ellipse)
Rock Creek Park
Prince William Forest Park
Wolf Trap National Park for the Performing Arts
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Last updated: April 7, 2021