Where to pay your NYC fine online, by mail, or in person

You can pay an NYC fine through the Department of Finance website, by mail, over the phone, or at a payment location in person. The method you choose depends on whether you have your ticket number, how quickly you need to pay, and whether you want a receipt when ready.

The fastest route is the Department of Finance website at nycfinance.com. You'll need your ticket number (also called a violation number), which appears on the front of your ticket. The site accepts credit cards, debit cards, and e-checks. Payment processes when ready, and you receive a confirmation number right away.

If you don't have your ticket number or prefer not to pay online, you can call the Department of Finance at 311 (or 212-788-8000 from outside NYC) during business hours. A representative can look up your fine by your name and date of birth, then process payment over the phone using a credit or debit card.

Key Takeaways

  • The Department of Finance website at nycfinance.com is the fastest way to pay if you have your ticket number.
  • You can pay by phone at 311 or 212-788-8000 if you don't have your ticket number or prefer not to pay online.
  • Mail payments should be sent to the address on your ticket, and checks take 7 to 10 business days to clear.
  • In-person payment is available at Department of Finance offices in lower Manhattan and at some other city locations during business hours.
  • Paying your fine does not remove points from your driving record if the violation added points; it only settles the monetary debt.

Paying online through the Department of Finance website

Go to nycfinance.com and select "Pay a Violation" from the homepage. Enter your ticket number and either your last name or your license plate number (depending on the type of violation). The system will pull up your fine amount and any late fees that have accrued.

Review the total amount owed, then choose your payment method: credit card, debit card, or e-check. Credit and debit cards process when ready. E-checks take one to two business days to clear. You'll receive a confirmation number on screen and by email; save this for your records.

If you cannot find your fine online, it may not yet be entered into the system. Violations typically appear within 5 to 10 business days of the ticket date. If more than two weeks have passed and your violation still doesn't appear, call 311 to verify the ticket was issued.

Paying by phone or mail

To pay by phone, call 311 (or 212-788-8000 from outside the city). Have your ticket number ready, or provide your name and date of birth so the representative can locate your violation. Payment by phone accepts credit cards and debit cards only. The representative will give you a confirmation number when payment is complete.

To pay by mail, write a check or money order for the full amount shown on your ticket. Include your ticket number on the check. Mail it to the address printed on the back of your ticket. Do not send cash through the mail. Checks take 7 to 10 business days to clear after the Department of Finance receives them, so allow extra time if your payment important date is approaching.

Keep a copy of your cancelled check or money order receipt as proof of payment. If you pay by mail and your important date passes before the payment clears, the Department of Finance may add a late fee. Paying online or by phone avoids this risk because payment is recorded when ready.

Paying in person at a Department of Finance office

The main Department of Finance office is located at 66 John Street in lower Manhattan. Hours are Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. You can pay by cash, check, money order, credit card, or debit card. Bring your ticket and a form of identification.

Payment is processed on the spot, and you receive a receipt when ready. This method is useful if you need proof of payment the same day or if you prefer to handle the transaction in person. However, the office can have long wait times, especially during lunch hours and near payment important date.

Some Department of Finance payment kiosks are also located in other parts of the city, but availability varies. Call 311 to confirm whether a kiosk near you is currently operating before making the trip.

Understanding late fees and what happens if you don't pay

If you don't pay by the due date on your ticket, the Department of Finance adds a late fee. The amount of the late fee depends on the original violation amount and how long the fine remains unpaid. Late fees can equal 10 percent of the original fine or more.

If a fine goes unpaid for an extended period, the city may place a lien on your vehicle, suspend your vehicle registration, or refer the debt to a collection agency. If you have a driver's license, unpaid parking violations can also affect your ability to renew it. Paying as soon as possible stops these consequences from escalating.

If you cannot pay the full amount by the due date, contact the Department of Finance at 311 to ask about a payment plan. Some violations may be may be able to access for installment arrangements, though not all are. The sooner you contact them, the more options may be available to you.

Paying a fine does not remove points from your record

Paying your fine settles the monetary debt to the city, but it does not remove points from your driving record if the violation added points. Points remain on your record for a set period determined by the type of violation, regardless of whether you pay the fine when ready or years later.

If you received a moving violation (such as speeding or running a red light) and want to reduce or remove points, you may be able to take a defensive driving course. Some violations also allow you to contest the ticket in traffic court. Paying the fine means you accept the violation; if you want to challenge it, you must do so before paying.

Frequently Asked Questions

What if I lost my ticket and don't have the ticket number?

Call 311 or 212-788-8000 and provide your name and date of birth. A representative can search for your violation and give you the ticket number. You can then pay online or continue paying over the phone.

Can I pay someone else's fine?

Yes. You'll need the ticket number or the violator's name and date of birth. You can pay online, by phone, or in person using any payment method. The person whose name is on the ticket will receive the confirmation, so provide them with the confirmation number afterward.

How long does it take for an online payment to show up in the system?

Online payments through nycfinance.com are recorded when ready. You receive a confirmation number on screen. If you pay by e-check, the payment takes one to two business days to clear, but the system shows it as pending right away.

What if I paid my fine but still see it listed as unpaid online?

If you paid by mail or check, allow 7 to 10 business days after the Department of Finance receives it for the payment to appear in the system. If you paid online or by phone and more than one business day has passed, call 311 with your confirmation number to verify the payment was processed.

Can I get a refund if I paid a fine I didn't owe?

Contact the Department of Finance at 311 with your confirmation number and explanation. Refunds are processed on a case-by-case basis. If you believe the violation was issued in error, you may also have the option to contest it in traffic court, though this must usually happen before you pay.