Membership FAQs

Yes! If you would like to request an extension on your membership, please contact the Membership Office or call 202-633-2922.

Due to COVID-19 safety precautions, parking passes will be required for every vehicle entering the Zoo. Parking spaces are limited and available on a first-come, first-served basis during regular Zoo hours. Due to the attendance cap in place to support social distancing following reopen, a very limited number of free parking passes will be available to members each day.

Membership parking benefits do not apply to employees, vendors or contractors doing business with or operating near the Zoo.

Please note that free parking is not available to Standard level members.

Members must reserve a free timed pass or parking pass ahead of their visit. All ticket reservations – for members and non-members – are first come, first served.

• Free parking passes are available for members but are extremely limited each day.
• To access free member parking, enter your member ID when reserving your parking pass.
• If free member parking passes are no longer available, there may still be parking passes for purchase.
• To ensure that as many members as possible can access free member parking passes, members will be able to reserve one parking pass per week. If you need an additional pass, please contact the membership office at fonzmember@si.edu or 202-633-2922.

Due to safety precautions against COVID-19, there are no rides running at the Zoo during this reopening period. Please check the Member News & Information page for updates.

Yes, you will still receive your membership discounts at outdoor dining locations and retail kiosks. Please be prepared to present your proof of active membership and matching photo ID when redeeming your discount benefit.

Yes. In order to support social distancing, tickets will be required and limited to a daily capacity. Tickets must be reserved in advance of your visit, and will be first come, first served. You will need to reserve a walk-up entry pass for everyone in your party.

Yes! Your membership is active the day you join FONZ. Upon payment, you will receive an instant email confirmation, which can be used as proof of membership until your membership cards arrive in the mail. Membership email confirmations are valid for eight weeks from the date of purchase.

Please allow up to 15 business days for your membership cards and welcome package to arrive in the mail. Still haven't received your cards? Don't hesitate to call the FONZ Membership Office at 202-633-2922, or email us at fonzmember@si.edu. We would be happy to assist you on Monday through Friday, 9AM-5PM.

You will receive one membership card if you join at the Standard membership level, two cards at the Premier level, and three at the Premier Plus level and higher. All membership cards that you receive will list every member name on your account.

If you lost your membership card, you can request a new card online. There is a $5 charge for printing a replacement card. Please allow two to four weeks for delivery. The automated receipt for your replacement card purchase will act as temporary proof of membership. You can also contact the Membership Office or call 202-633-2922 to request proof of membership prior to your visit.

Memberships may not be shared by more than one household. The primary card name for a membership should be an adult head of household. Additional named adult cardholders can include other adults living in the same household, or an additional caretaker for the children in the household. Remember, cardholders must be adults. Individuals under the age of 18 should not be named on the membership cards. If you’ve reserved a parking pass, please be prepared to present your proof of active membership, and matching photo ID.

Please note: Including "Guest," 'Nanny," or other titles instead of an individual’s name will prevent them from using the membership. A membership card may not be loaned to an individual that is not one of the named individuals on your account.

No. All named cardholders must be adults over the age of 18.

No, only one discount may be used when joining or renewing your membership. This also applies to the Senior discount.

You can join instantly online by visiting our join page! If you encounter any issues, or if you would prefer to join over the phone, please contact the FONZ Membership Office directly at 202-633-2922. We would be happy to assist you on Monday through Friday, 9AM-5PM.

You can instantly renew your membership online anytime. You will receive renewal notices by mail and by email. If you require assistance with your renewal, please contact the Membership Office or call 202-633-2922.

If you have recently renewed your FONZ membership, please disregard any further renewal notices. Although we work to process renewals as quickly as possible, it is possible that your payment and the renewal notice may cross in the mail. If you have any doubts or concerns, or if you suspect that you may have multiple membership accounts open, please email the Membership Office or call 202-633-2922 so that we can assist you.

You can change your mailing and email addresses by logging into your account and updating your contact information in your account settings. If you require further assistance, contact the Membership Office or call 202-633-2922.

Yes. The amount you may deduct varies by membership level. Membership donations up to the Premier Plus level are 100-percent tax deductible. Please click here for current tax information.

By becoming a FONZ member at any level, you help FONZ support the Smithsonian's National Zoo and Conservation Biology Institute's mission to save species. If you (are) moving or living out of state, check the reciprocity list for zoos and aquariums in your area.

Participants in the AZA Reciprocal Membership Program reserve the right to cancel or deny benefits at any time according to their needs. Be sure to call the zoo or aquarium that you are visiting ahead of time so that you can confirm whether they are offering Reciprocal Membership benefits. Visit AZA.org for the most up-to-date information.

Please note that membership benefits, may be limited or canceled as a precaution due to COVID-19.

No. FONZ does not sell membership information or trade phone and email information. FONZ occasionally shares membership addresses with organizations we believe might be of interest to our members. If you do not wish your mailing address to be shared with other mailers, please email us or call the Membership Office at 202-633-2922, Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.