Where to pay your Boston parking ticket

You can pay a Boston parking ticket online through the City of Boston's Parking Clerk office website, by mail, or in person at their office. The online portal is the fastest route — you enter your ticket number and pay by credit card or debit card without leaving home. The Parking Clerk office is located at 100 Hanover Street, Room 600, Boston, MA 02108, and accepts walk-in payments during business hours.

If you pay by mail, send a check or money order to the Parking Clerk office at the Hanover Street address. Include your ticket number and a copy of the ticket itself so the payment reaches the right account. Mail payments take longer to process than online or in-person payments, so allow extra time if your important date is approaching.

Phone payment is not available directly through the Parking Clerk office. You must use one of the three methods above — online, mail, or in person.

Key Takeaways

  • The City of Boston Parking Clerk office processes all parking ticket payments through their website, by mail to 100 Hanover Street Room 600, or in person during business hours.
  • Online payment through the Parking Clerk website is the fastest method and requires only your ticket number and a credit or debit card.
  • Late fees and additional penalties begin accruing after the due date shown on your ticket, so paying before that date saves money.
  • If you dispute the ticket, you can request a hearing before paying, though the hearing request must be submitted within a set timeframe from the ticket date.

What information you need to pay

To pay online, you will need your parking ticket number, which appears on the front of the ticket itself. You will also need a valid credit card or debit card. The online system does not require you to enter your vehicle registration or license plate — the ticket number alone connects the payment to your account.

If you are paying by mail or in person, bring or include the ticket number and ideally a copy of the ticket. This ensures the payment is matched to the correct violation. If you have lost the physical ticket, the ticket number is the only piece of information required to locate your account.

Payment important date and late fees

The due date for payment appears on your parking ticket. If you pay after that date, the City of Boston adds a late fee to your balance. The amount of the late fee depends on how far past the due date you are and the original violation amount. Paying as soon as you receive the ticket avoids these additional charges.

If your ticket remains unpaid long enough, the city may place a boot on your vehicle or report the debt to a collection agency. Unpaid parking tickets can also prevent vehicle registration renewal. The sooner you pay, the lower your total cost.

Disputing a ticket before you pay

If you believe the ticket was issued in error — for example, you had a valid permit, the meter was broken, or the sign was obscured — you can request a hearing instead of paying when ready. The Parking Clerk office accepts hearing requests by mail or online through their website. Your request must be submitted within a specific timeframe from the ticket date, typically 21 days, though you should check your ticket or the Parking Clerk website for the exact important date in your case.

During the hearing, you can present evidence that the ticket should not have been issued. If the hearing officer agrees, the ticket is dismissed and you owe nothing. If the ticket is upheld, you will be ordered to pay the original fine plus any accrued late fees. Requesting a hearing does not stop late fees from accruing, so if you lose the hearing, your total bill will be higher than if you had paid on time.

Online payment step-by-step

Go to the City of Boston Parking Clerk website and look for the "Pay a Ticket" or "Parking Violations" section. Enter your ticket number in the search field. The system will display the violation, the fine amount, and the due date. Review the details to confirm this is the correct ticket.

Click the payment button and select your payment method — credit card or debit card. Enter your card information and billing address. The system will process the payment when ready and provide a confirmation number. Save or print this confirmation for your records. The payment typically appears in the city's system within one business day.

What happens after you pay

Once your payment is processed, the ticket is marked as paid in the city's system. You will receive a confirmation number either on screen (if you paid online) or on a receipt (if you paid in person). Keep this confirmation in case you need proof of payment later.

If you paid online, you can check the status of your payment by returning to the Parking Clerk website and entering your ticket number again. The system will show whether the payment has been received and processed. If you paid by mail, allow several business days for the check to arrive and be recorded before checking the status.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I pay a Boston parking ticket with a debit card online?

Yes, the Parking Clerk website accepts both credit cards and debit cards for online payment. You will need the card number, expiration date, and CVV code. The payment is processed when ready.

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

Contact the Parking Clerk office at 100 Hanover Street or call their office line. Provide your license plate number and the approximate date and location where you received the ticket. They can look up the ticket in their system and provide the ticket number so you can pay online or in person.

Do I have to pay the ticket if I'm disputing it?

No. You can request a hearing without paying first. However, if you lose the hearing, you will owe the original fine plus any late fees that accrued while the dispute was pending. If you win, the ticket is dismissed and you owe nothing.

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

Online payments are typically processed within one business day. You will receive a confirmation number when ready after payment, but the ticket status may not update in the system until the next day. If you need proof of payment right away, save your confirmation number.

Can I pay someone else's parking ticket?

Yes. You can pay any ticket online using the ticket number, or you can pay in person at the Parking Clerk office. The ticket number is all that is needed — you do not need to be the vehicle owner or the person cited.