About NARA's Holdings

Research at the National Archives

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We have so many records that...

Laid side to side, pages in our holdings would circle the Earth over 57 times! Because of the cost to digitize such a volume of materials, only a small percentage is available for research online. Our web site offers tools and guides to help you locate these documents. To complete your research and use the records, you may need to visit us.

What's Available Online?

Start here to examine some of our online resources!

Some records are online. See our checklist of places on this web site that provide records online.
Information about the records. Research your topic before you visit us to see the records.
Ways to order copies of records.

Online Research Tools

Read more about each

What's Next? Visit Us

Researchers at the Regional Archives in Anchorage, Alaska.

Even if you find information about records on our web site, to complete your research and use the records, you may need to visit us or hire an independent researcher.
Learn more

Help Us Recover Lost and Stolen Documents

Plan Your Research Trip

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More information on Adobe Acrobat PDF files is available on our Accessibility page.

All National Archives research rooms will be closed on Monday, May 26, for Memorial Day. Museums in Washington, DC, and at the Presidential libraries will be open.

Photocopying Costs Rise

Effective October 1, 2007, fees have increased for reproductions at all National Archives facilities, including for all commonly-requested genealogical records.

What's New?

Attention Researchers:
Record Group 217, Records of the Accounting Officers of the Department of the Treasury located at College Park, Maryland, will be closed to research effective close of business May 30. The records will be moved to the National Archives Builidng in Washington, DC. The move is scheduled to begin June 9 and be completed by July 25. Records should be open to researchers August 15. For information contact Ms. Cynthia Fox, 202-357-5098.
Finding Information on Personal Participation in World War II, a brochure (PDF) on NARA's WWII records and how to start your research.
Information about new microfilm available from the Freedmen's Bureau Records, 1865-72.
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The National Archives and Footnote.com are working as partners to bring unprecedented access to selections of the vast holdings of the National Archives. Visit us and access these documents free of charge. Learn More
Now you can search for microfilm online. Get a full description, download descriptive pamphlets and roll lists, and/or purchase rolls.
The 9-11 Commission's records are now available on the Commission's frozen web site.
More. . .
In light of the terrorist events of September 11, 2001, we are re-evaluating access to some previously open archival materials.
More. . .
More What's New