A national capitol is the highest office of government in a country or dependent territory. In cases where the government is split into branches with different powers, the legislative chambers take precedence over the executive headquarters as the capitol. Buildings with this usage often have a highly symbolic position within their countries.

The governmental level is that of a country or dependent territory. A first-level subdivision has a subnational capitol, and a municipal headquarters has the separate city hall meaning.

Where legislative and executive branches occupy separate headquarters, the legislative chambers have precedence for this designation. The executive headquarters is not selected merely because it is the office of the head of government.