Reservations and Permits

Tour Reservations

Beginning Thursday, Dec. 16, visitors seeking advance reservations for the self-guided tours of St. Paul's Church should navigate to the https://www.recreation.gov website.

Permits

A Special Use Permit is required for any activity that provides a benefit to an individual, group, or organization rather than 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.

View and print the Special Use Permit Instructions and Requirements for Saint Paul's Church National Historic Site

View and print safety plan that's required to be submitted with application

View and print application for special park use permit (including 1st Amendment activities)

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 Special Use Permit for Saint Paul's Church National Historic Site

Filming & photography:

The following types of filming activities may occur in areas open to the public without a permit and without advance notice to the NPS:

• Outdoor filming activities [outside of areas managed as wilderness] involving five persons or less and equipment that will be carried at all times, except for small tripods used to hold cameras.

The organizer of any other type of filming activity must provide written notice to the Superintendent at least 10 days prior to the start of the proposed activity. Based upon the information provided, the Superintendent may require the organizer to apply for and obtain a permit if necessary to:

• maintain public health and safety;

• protect environmental or scenic values;

• protect natural or cultural resources;

• allow for equitable allocation and use of facilities; or

• avoid conflict among visitor use activities.

If the Superintendent determines that the terms and conditions of a permit could not mitigate the concerns identified above in an acceptable manner, the Superintendent may deny a filming request without issuing a permit. The Superintendent will provide the basis for denial in writing upon request.

The NPS will consider requests and process permit applications in a timely manner. Processing times will vary depending on the complexity of the proposed activity. If the organizer provides the required 10 day advance notice to the NPS and has not received a written response from the NPS that a permit is required prior to the first day of production, the proposed filming activities may occur without a permit.

View and print filming and photography permit application (Short form)
View and print filming and photography permit application (Long form)

Application Process

To apply for a Special Use Permit, download an application form, fill it out, and send it with the non-refundable application fee of $50 to:

Saint Paul's Church National Historic Site
National Park Service
Attention: Business Management Program
26 Wall Street, New York, NY 10005

Please make check or money order payable to the "National Park Service." Also, note that this is an application form only. 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 may be assessed, depending upon the nature of the activity.