New Visitor Access Rules Take Effect January 10, 2022

Access to the New York State Capitol will be limited to visitors who are fully vaccinated or visitors who provide proof of a negative Covid test within the past 48 hours. Proof must be shown along with valid identification before entry. Masks will be required at all times, and there will be limited capacity in the Capitol to align with social distancing best practices. 

Guest Authorization Procedure/Protocol

Upon arrival at a security screening access point, visitors must provide valid identification to State Police personnel who will verify an individual’s full vaccination status; this applies to all guests ages 5 and older. 

Individuals are considered fully vaccinated for COVID-19 when at least two weeks have passed after receiving either: 

• The second dose in a two-dose series (i.e., Pfizer-BioNTech or Moderna), or
• A single-dose vaccine (i.e., Johnson & Johnson/Janssen) 

Personal identification with name and photo or date of birth is also required for visitors ages 18 and older. 

Examples of accepted forms of identification include a valid:

• Driver’s license
• Non-driver government ID card, or
• Passport

Proof of vaccination may include: 

• Excelsior Pass 
• Excelsior Pass Plus 
• SMART Health Cards issued outside of New York State 
• Full-course vaccination through NYC COVID Safe app 
• A CDC Vaccination Card, or
• Other official immunization record

Those who received the vaccine outside the United States must have an official immunization record that includes: 

• First name and last name 
• Date of birth
• Vaccine product name (only vaccines authorized by the FDA or WHO are acceptable) 
• Date(s) administered 
• Site where the vaccine was administered or the name of the person who administered it

When presenting proof of a negative Covid Test: 

• Results can be a printed copy or on a phone (e.g., digital health record or email or text message from a test provider or laboratory).
• Personal identification with a name and photo or date of birth is also required for visitors ages 18 and older and must match the information on the negative test result. 

Sitting majestically atop Albany’s State Street hill, the New York State Capitol has served as the seat of government for New York since the 1880s. The building is a marvel of late 19th-century architectural grandeur, built by hand of solid masonry over a period of 32 years. For more information on tours, parking, directions & more, go to the Empire State Plaza & Capitol Visitor website. 

Visit the Capitol

Visitors to the Capitol are required to pass through metal detectors and have bags scanned through an x-ray machine. Personal belongings such as backpacks and large bags should be left behind. Sharp objects, such as pocket knives, nail clippers, weapons, and nuisance devices such as whistles and noisemakers are not allowed into the building.

The Capitol is located at the north end of the Empire State Plaza. OGS recommends visitors park in one of the Plaza's visitor parking lots. See all visitor parking options for the Empire State Plaza. 

GO TO Visitor Parking Website