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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 NPS.
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. 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.
Reviewing the following links when planning your project in advance of contacting our office can help keep your administrative permitting fees to a minimum.
Fill out the application in its entirety, with the following
Project Description
The application includes an area for detailed project description.
The more detailed the description, the better we will understand the project and the more efficiently the application can be processed.
Attach additional pages as necessary.
Do not submit the project description in the body of an email, but as a Word or PDF document.
Include details such as who, what, when, where, how, and why.
Certificate of Liability Insurance
Submit a valid Liability Insurance Certificate with your application package. The policy should be in the amount of $1,000,000 and must be underwritten by a United States company naming the United States of America as additionally insured.
A non-refundable application fee of $150 will be charged upon initial review of your application.
Submit your application using one of the methods stated on page 4 of the application.
