<?xml version="1.0"?>
<ownershipDocument>

    <schemaVersion>X0304</schemaVersion>

    <documentType>4</documentType>

    <periodOfReport>2011-08-19</periodOfReport>

    <issuer>
        <issuerCik>0001005817</issuerCik>
        <issuerName>TOMPKINS FINANCIAL CORP</issuerName>
        <issuerTradingSymbol>TMP</issuerTradingSymbol>
    </issuer>

    <reportingOwner>
        <reportingOwnerId>
            <rptOwnerCik>0001102634</rptOwnerCik>
            <rptOwnerName>FULMER JAMES W</rptOwnerName>
        </reportingOwnerId>
        <reportingOwnerAddress>
            <rptOwnerStreet1>TOMPKINS FINANCIAL CORPORATION</rptOwnerStreet1>
            <rptOwnerStreet2>P O BOX 460</rptOwnerStreet2>
            <rptOwnerCity>ITHACA</rptOwnerCity>
            <rptOwnerState>NY</rptOwnerState>
            <rptOwnerZipCode>14851</rptOwnerZipCode>
            <rptOwnerStateDescription></rptOwnerStateDescription>
        </reportingOwnerAddress>
        <reportingOwnerRelationship>
            <isDirector>1</isDirector>
            <isOfficer>1</isOfficer>
            <officerTitle>Vice Chairman</officerTitle>
        </reportingOwnerRelationship>
    </reportingOwner>

    <nonDerivativeTable>
        <nonDerivativeTransaction>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>Common Stock</value>
            </securityTitle>
            <transactionDate>
                <value>2011-08-19</value>
            </transactionDate>
            <transactionCoding>
                <transactionFormType>4</transactionFormType>
                <transactionCode>A</transactionCode>
                <equitySwapInvolved>0</equitySwapInvolved>
                <footnoteId id="F1"/>
            </transactionCoding>
            <transactionTimeliness></transactionTimeliness>
            <transactionAmounts>
                <transactionShares>
                    <value>1650</value>
                </transactionShares>
                <transactionPricePerShare>
                    <value>0</value>
                </transactionPricePerShare>
                <transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
                    <value>A</value>
                </transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
            </transactionAmounts>
            <postTransactionAmounts>
                <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
                    <value>55572</value>
                </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
            </postTransactionAmounts>
            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>D</value>
                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
            </ownershipNature>
        </nonDerivativeTransaction>
    </nonDerivativeTable>

    <derivativeTable>
        <derivativeTransaction>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>Stock Appreciation Rights (SAR)</value>
            </securityTitle>
            <conversionOrExercisePrice>
                <value>37.00</value>
            </conversionOrExercisePrice>
            <transactionDate>
                <value>2011-08-19</value>
            </transactionDate>
            <transactionCoding>
                <transactionFormType>4</transactionFormType>
                <transactionCode>A</transactionCode>
                <equitySwapInvolved>0</equitySwapInvolved>
            </transactionCoding>
            <transactionTimeliness></transactionTimeliness>
            <transactionAmounts>
                <transactionShares>
                    <value>5250</value>
                </transactionShares>
                <transactionPricePerShare>
                    <value>0</value>
                </transactionPricePerShare>
                <transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
                    <value>A</value>
                </transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
            </transactionAmounts>
            <exerciseDate>
                <footnoteId id="F2"/>
            </exerciseDate>
            <expirationDate>
                <value>2021-08-19</value>
            </expirationDate>
            <underlyingSecurity>
                <underlyingSecurityTitle>
                    <value>Common Stock</value>
                </underlyingSecurityTitle>
                <underlyingSecurityShares>
                    <value>5250</value>
                </underlyingSecurityShares>
            </underlyingSecurity>
            <postTransactionAmounts>
                <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
                    <value>5250</value>
                </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
            </postTransactionAmounts>
            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>D</value>
                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
            </ownershipNature>
        </derivativeTransaction>
    </derivativeTable>

    <footnotes>
        <footnote id="F1">Restricted Stock was granted pursuant to the Tompkins Financial Corporation 2009 Equity Plan. Restricted Stock grants have a seven year vesting schedule with 0% vesting in year one, 17% vesting in years two through six, and 15% vesting in year seven. The grant will expire ten years from the date of the grant.</footnote>
        <footnote id="F2">Stock Appreciation Rights (SARs) were granted pursuant to the Tompkins Financial Corporation 2009 Equity Plan. SARs have a seven year vesting schedule with 0% vesting in year one, 17% vesting in years two through six, and 15% vesting in year seven. When exercised, the SARs will be settled in Common Stock of the Company. The grant will expire ten years from the date of the grant.</footnote>
    </footnotes>

    <ownerSignature>
        <signatureName>/s/ James W. Fulmer</signatureName>
        <signatureDate>2011-08-23</signatureDate>
    </ownerSignature>
</ownershipDocument>
