Press Credentials Office

Mission

In alignment with Mayor’s Office of Media and Entertainment’s (MOME) mission to support and strengthen New York City’s creative economy and make it accessible to all, the Press Credentials Office (PCO) provides members of the press with a timely, transparent, and equitable Press Card application process. We’ve developed a fully digital, user-friendly application process and new policies, including the right to a hearing and appeal process. Our staff prides itself on being available to guide members of the press on how to obtain a City of New York Press Card in accordance with MOME’s rules.

Press Credentials Rules

In 2021, City Council enacted Local Law 46 of 2021, which transferred the responsibility to issue press credentials from the New York City Police Department (NYPD) to the Mayor's Office of Media and Entertainment (MOME) and required the creation of MOME's Press Credentials Office. The Press Credentials Office opened in January 2022.

To implement Local Law 46, MOME issued rules effective January 19, 2022, that set forth application procedures for a press credential, criteria for denial of an application for a press credential, and criteria for suspension or revocation of a press credential.

Subsequently, MOME implemented changes to its rules effective March 13, 2025. These changes include: (a) having a minimum age requirement for eligibility to receive a Standard Press Card or a Reserve Press Card, (b) requiring consent from a parent or legal guardian for applicants under eighteen years old who are seeking to pre-register or receive a Single Event Press Card, (c) requiring a parent, legal guardian, or another adult to accompany a Single Event Press Card holder who is under eighteen years old during the entirety of a Single Event, (d) allowing alternative methods for returning a Single Event Press Card, and (e) adding more criteria for denial of an application for a press credential.

See the latest version of the rule here.

City of New York Press Cards

MOME’s Press Credentials Office issues City of New York Press Cards to journalists and media outlets so they can pass NYPD/city official lines and attend official City-government sponsored events open to the press. A Press Card is not required to engage in newsgathering activity and to work as a journalist in New York City. A Press Card is required to:

cross police, fire lines, or other restrictions, limitations or barriers established by the City government at emergency, spot, or breaking news events and non-emergency public events and
attend City-government-sponsored events that are open to members of the press.

Please Note:

Press Card holders must review the following Guidelines for Press Card Use
Access to these events is subject to space limitations, safety concerns, and evidence preservation concerns.
A Press Card must be worn fully exposed at all times when seeking access to an event and once access has been granted.
There is no fee required for a Press Card
A Press Card is NOT a parking permit and does not entitle a Press Card holder to parking privileges. DO NOT leave a Press Card on the dashboard of your vehicle.
The PCO issues City of New York Press Cards. The PCO does not issue parking permits, schedule interviews with the Mayor, or handle Mayoral event calendars. Get more information about other NYC services here.

Types of Press Cards

Standard Press Card
Issued to individual members of the press who are independents (self-employed), freelancers as well as full-time employees of a newsgathering organization. A Standard Press Card has your picture, name, employment and expiration date. The Standard Press Card allows a member of the press to attend multiple events while the Press Card is valid. All Standard Press Cards are valid for two years and expire on January 15 of every odd year. You must be must be at least 18 years old to apply for a Standard Press Card.

Reserve Press Card
Issued to a newsgathering organization for use by employees who are not eligible for a Standard Press Card. The Reserve Press Card allows a member of the press to attend multiple events while the Press Card is valid. Reserve Press Cards have the company name and expiration date and do not include a photo. All Reserve Press Cards are valid for two years and expire on January 15 of every odd year. A Reserve Press Card can only be used by an individual who is at least 18 years old.

Single Event Press Card
Issued to individual members of the press who do not hold a Standard and/or do not have access to a Reserve Press Card through their employer. The Single Event Press Card allows a member of the press to attend only one specific ‘Covered Event’. The Single Event Press Card has your picture, name, employment, expiration date and the name of the ‘Covered Event’. Single Event Press Cards are valid for the duration of the single event or 24 hours, whichever is shorter. You are required to return a Single Event Press Card in-person to the PCO within three business days of the expiration date of the ‘Covered Event’. Expired Single Event Press Cards must be returned to the PCO before you can be eligible to cover another Single Event. Applicants under 18 years old must have written permission from a parent or legal guardian submitted with each pre-registration application, each Single Event Press Card application, and each Single Event Pre-Registration renewal application. A parent, legal guardian, or another adult may be required to accompany a Single Event Press Card holder who is under eighteen years old during the entirety of a Single Event.

Read about eligibility requirements here.

Read about reporting a lost, stolen or damaged Press Card.

Please view the following video tutorials for more information on how to register and apply.

How to Register & Login

How to Apply for a Press Card

Location and Office Hours

Mayor’s Office of Media and Entertainment
Press Credentials Office
1 Centre Street, Room 370, New York, NY
Monday - Friday from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., excluding holidays.
**The PCO does not accept walk-ins.
212-602-7408
presscredential@media.nyc.gov

Executive Director of the Press Credentials Office

Samer Nasser is the Executive Director of the Press Credentials Office (PCO) at the Mayor's Office of Media and Entertainment (MOME). A native New Yorker and first-generation Arab American, Nasser has over two decades of experience working in broadcast journalism. Before MOME, Nasser served as National News Producer at ViacomCBS' most highly rated news programs, International News Editor at Al Jazeera America, and Business News Desk Manager at Fox Business Network. She holds a BA in Journalism and Education from New York University, and an MBA in Media Management and Marketing from Fordham University.