Civic administration for the city is managed by the Goalpara Municipal Board, which is responsible for urban planning, sanitation, water supply, and the maintenance of public infrastructure. The board consists of elected ward commissioners headed by a Chairperson.
At the district level, Goalpara city serves as the headquarters for the Goalpara District. The Deputy Commissioner (DC) is the head of the district administration, overseeing law and order, revenue collection, and the implementation of state and central government developmental schemes. Politically, the city is part of the Goalpara East and Goalpara West Assembly constituencies, which elect representatives to the Assam Legislative Assembly, and falls under the Dhubri Lok Sabha constituency for national representation.