About the Press Credentials Office

The window to submit renewal applications for Press Cards expiring on Jan. 15, 2023 is CLOSED. You may apply for a new Press Card at any time.

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

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

Current NYPD-issued Press Cards are considered valid until January 15, 2023 when they expire. Press Card holders with an expired NYPD-issued Press Card must renew their press credentials with the PCO. There is no fee for a Press Card.

Press Credentials Rules

To implement Local Law 46, MOME issued rules that set forth application procedures for press credentials, criteria for denial of an application for a press credential, and criteria for suspension or revocation of a press credential. MOME provided the public with the opportunity to comment on the rules, including at a public hearing on November 23, 2021.

• View MOME's rules.
• View comments received by MOME and listen to a recording of the public hearing.
• Press Card Applications & Renewal Process highlights [PowerPoint presentation download]

The Press Credentials Office opened on January 20, 2022 and is now accepting applications for three types of Press Credentials.

• Standard Press Card
  Issued to individual members of the press who are independents as well as freelancers and full-time employees of a Newsgathering Organization. All Standard Press Cards are valid for two years and expire on January 15 of every odd year.

 

• Reserve Press Card
  Issued to a Newsgathering Organization for use by an employee who does not already hold a Standard Press Card. All Reserve Press Cards are valid for two years and expire on January 15 of every odd year.

 

• Single Event Press Card
  Issued to individual members of the press who do not hold a Standard or Reserve Press Card for access to one event. Single Event Press Cards are generally valid for the duration of the single event or 24 hours, whichever is shorter.

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.

Access to these events is subject to space limitations, safety concerns, and evidence preservation concerns.

Read about eligibility requirements here.

Read about reporting a lost or stolen Press Card.

Quick Tips About Press Cards

• A Press Card must be worn fully exposed at all times when seeking access to an event and once access has been granted.
• 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.

Read the Press Credentials Office Frequently Asked Questions.

Location and Office Hours

The Press Credentials Office is located at 1 Centre Street, Room 370 in Manhattan. The office is open Monday through Friday, from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., excluding City holidays. The PCO does not accept walk-ins. Please contact the Press Credentials Office at presscredential@media.nyc.gov to make an appointment.

The PCO only issues Press Cards. The PCO does not schedule interviews with the Mayor, issue parking permits, or handle Mayoral event calendars. Get more information about other NYC services.

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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. She enjoys traveling the world, practicing yoga, and exploring the city with her Shih-poo Milo.