When you arrive
See Also:
- Results from our Customer Satisfaction Survey of NARA researchers in the summer of 2006.
More. . . - Researcher Newsletter
Join the Researcher News Mailing List at kyr@nara.gov
Information for Researchers at the National Archives Building in Washington, DC
Research at the National Archives Building in Washington, DC
The National Archives Building in Washington, DC (Archives I), houses textual and microfilm records relating to genealogy, American Indians, pre-World War II military and naval-maritime matters, the New Deal, the District of Columbia, the Federal courts, and Congress. (Related special media and nontextual records, such as cartographic and architectural records, motion pictures, audio recordings, videocassettes, still pictures, and electronic records are located at the National Archives at College Park, Maryland [Archives II].)
Researchers will need to show a photo ID, and must be at least age 14.
Pull Times:
Records are retrieved Monday through Friday for use in the research rooms.
Pull times for records are:
- 10:00 a.m.
- 11:00 a.m.
- 1:30 p.m.
- 2:30 p.m.
On Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday there is an additional pull at 3:30 p.m. There are no pulls on Saturday.
Archives I Phone Numbers
- Public Reference Information: (202) 357-5400
- Center for Legislative Archives: (202) 357-5350
- Genealogy Staff: (202) 357-5400
Orientation and Research Room Procedures
Researchers first visiting Archives I, the National Archives and Records Administration building in Washington, DC, proceed to the Research Center on the first floor.
From there you will have access to:
- Genealogical consultation
- The microfilm reading room
- ALIC: Archives Library and Information Center, including genealogical resources
- Consultation with an archivist
Depending upon the types of records requested, researchers may need to first obtain a researcher identification card. You can get your research card in the Research Center.
During the registration process, new researchers will view a short PowerPoint orientation emphasizing the safe handling of records and explaining the most basic research procedures, responsibilities, and rules. New researchers should plan for a total of 15-20 minutes to complete the registration process.
All records are currently taken to the Central Research Room 203. Genealogical researchers, however, will soon be able to view original pensions and other military records in the Military Service Research Room set to open in the Research Complex.
Summary of Research Room Rules
Paper and pencils are provided to researchers. Pens and notebooks are not allowed.
Researchers may bring approved loose paper research notes, hand-held wallets, and coin purses into research rooms, but those items are subject to inspection when researchers enter or leave the research complex.
Researchers may not bring briefcases, backpacks, purses, boxes, or other large containers into the research rooms.
Lockers are available. A quarter is required, but is refunded when the locker key is returned. The lockers are emptied nightly.
Please see the following additional information:
- What's Allowed in the Research Rooms
- Rules for Using Historical Records in the National Archives [GIL 57]
Contact Information
- Customer Service Center Telephone Number: 1-866-325-7208
- Contact us by e-mail
- NARA Organizational Phone List
- NARA Employee Locator
Self-Service Copying
Paper to paper copies of most documents can be made on self-service copiers at a cost of 25¢ per page. Microfilm to paper copies are 50¢ per image. Before copying any textual records, researchers must show a staff member the original material they wish to duplicate.
A debit card system is used to pay for self-service copies. You may use your research card as a debit card. Machines to add money are located in the research rooms. These machines accept bills and credit cards. Do not bring coins. Unused money on your card cannot be refunded. When the cashier is closed (after 4:30 Monday -Friday and all day Saturday), it is not possible to get change in the building.
Read more about copying...
Special Equipment
Researchers may use their own personal computers (laptops, notebooks, etc.), approved scanners, tape recorders, tape decks, cameras, and other equipment in the Research Center, but cases, bags, and boxes must remain in lockers. Personal copiers and auto-feed or hand-held scanners are not permitted.
See also The National Archives in the Nation's Capital, Information for Researchers, General Information Leaflet 71.
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