New York - Obtain Filming Permit

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Procedure

1. Insurance: Applicants must be able to present a CERTIFICATE OF INSURANCE to the Office of Film, Theatre and Broadcasting 48 hours in advance of their online permit application submission. When submitting your online permit application, make sure that the Company Name exactly matches the name of Insured on the insurance certificate. The CERTIFICATE must include:
   1. The name and address of the insured person or production company.
   2. The Certificate Holder must read as follows:
      The City of New York
      Mayor's Office of Film, Theatre and Broadcasting
      1697 Broadway, Suite 602
      New York, NY 10019
   3. The Description of Operations on the certificate must read as follows: "The City of New York is named as additional insured pursuant to, or with coverage at least as broad as, ISO Form CG 20 12 (07/98 ed.)."
   4. That the policy provides at least One Million Dollars ($1,000,000) [usually listed as 1,000 thousands] in US currency or its equivalent of Comprehensive General Liability for each instance of claim.
   5. The name of the insurance company and of the broker, with the broker's signature and phone number.
   6. The policy number.
   7. The dates for which the policy is in effect, including both the start and expiration dates.
   8. That the policy may not be modified or canceled without seven days prior written notification to the Office of Film, Theatre and Broadcasting.
2. For Student Film makers:
   1. Obtain a letter from your school, on the school's letterhead, stating the student's name, their status as a student (i.e. full-time, in good standing) the date(s) of the shoot and the signature of the appropriate representative from the school.
   2. Students whose schools are located outside of New York City, check with the Office of Film, Theatre and Broadcasting to see if your school's insurance is on file with them.
3. Submitting an application online:
   1. You will need to create an account first. You will be required to create a project and enter production information and insurance information. If you have already created an account, or have an existing account with the Street Activity Permit Office or Department of Parks, just simply login.
   2. Start your online application

Filming in Park

1. If you are planning to shoot your film in parks, you must complete the Parks Film Shoot Request Form and online form.
2. Your request will be forwarded to the appropriate individual park manager. It will take at least 48 hours for the park manager to respond to your request. Once park manager has approved your shoot, submit OFTB online permit referencing park manager who provided approval.

Free Optional Permit

When you are not required to obtain a permit but wishes to have documentation from the Office of Film, Theatre and Broadcasting you may apply for a free optional permit.

1. Fill out an application with dates, times, locations and contact information. Liability insurance is not required for this type of permit.
2. Download the optional permit - Link
3. Completed optional permits should be faxed to 212-262-7677.

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Required Documents

• Certificate of Insurance: Insurance certificates in PDF form are accepted via email to [email protected] ONLY if sent directly by the insurance broker. The Office of Film, Theatre and Broadcasting are not able to accept insurance certificates submitted by production companies or individuals.

Office Locations & Contacts

The Office of Film, Theatre and Broadcasting
Ed Sullivan Theatre Office Building
1697 Broadway, 6th floor
Telephone: 212-489-6710
Fax: 212-307-6237

Office Hours:
Monday through Friday from 9AM to 5PM
You will need to bring an ID picture to gain access to the building.

Website

Eligibility

Filming Permit: A permit must be secured if equipment or vehicles will be used in filming or the person filming asserts exclusive use of City property. Insurance is required for this permit.

Optional Permit: Hand-held equipment only. Permit does not include special parking privileges. Insurance is not required for this permit.

Fees

• Filming Permit: $300

Validity

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e.g. Birth Certificate Valid Forever

Documents to Use

• Parks Film Shoot Request Form
• Optional Permit Form

Sample Documents

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Processing Time

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Related Videos

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Instructions

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Required Information

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1. Date of Birth.
2. City or County of Birth.

Need for the Document

New York's Office of Film, Theatre and Broadcasting issues permits to productions filming on location in the city and provides free police assistance, free parking privileges and access to most exterior locations free of charge.

A permit to film is not needed if production will only be using hand-held cameras or tripods. Casual photographers, tourists, credentialed members of the media or other members of the public who do not use vehicles or equipment or assert exclusive use of City property do not need to obtain a permit. Standing on a street, walkway of a bridge, sidewalk or other pedestrian passageway while using a hand-held device and not otherwise asserting exclusive use of City property is not an activity that requires a permit. In addition, activity that involves the filming of a parade, rally, protest or demonstration does not require a permit except when equipment or vehicles are used. Press photographers, who are credentialed by the New York Police Department do not need to obtain an OFTB permit.

In case you will need to use equipment or vehicles in filming or will need to access a City property exclusively you must first apply for a permit.

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Other uses of the Document/Certificate

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External Links

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