How to Obtain Copies of Records

Go to:   Order Forms   |   Order Online

What do You Want to Order?

• Genealogical or Family History records
• Military Service records
• Microfilm Rolls
• Court Records
  • Records of the Judicial Branch
• Other Records

Having Problems Ordering?

• Close your browser. 
• Open the Chrome or Firefox browser and go to this link.
• Log in to your order (clearing your cache and cookies first helps).
• If these steps don't help, please send a screenshot of any error messages to orderonline@nara.gov.

Information About:

• Fees
• Restrictions:   when records cannot be copied
• Self-service copying in a research room

Ordering Frequently-requested Family History Records

For the following records:

• Ship Passenger Arrival records, 1820-1959 (Learn more about these records)
• Individual Census Pages, 1790-1940 (Learn more about these records)
• Eastern Cherokee Applications, 1906-1909 Search in the National Archives Catalog
• Federal Land Entry Files ( Learn more about these records)
• Federal Military Pension Files for the Revolutionary War through the Civil War
• Bounty land warrant applications
• Compiled Military Service Records through the Spanish-American War

To order, you can either:

1. Order online, and place your order for these records directly through the web. Ordering online requires that you register as a user and that you pay with a credit card.
    
2. Request these records using our special paper forms. Contact us to have these blank forms mailed to you.

Ordering Military Service Records

• Veterans' service records, WWI - Present
• Pre-WWI Service Records

Ordering Microfilm publications

• Purchase digitized rolls of microfilm when you already have the publication number and roll number(s). This is the minimum information needed. If you need assistance finding the publication and roll numbers, you can check the online Microfilm Catalog.
   

Ordering Copies of Other Records

When you are asking us to make copies of records for you, you generally need to be able to provide exact citations to specific documents.

For this reason, it can be very difficult to order copies when you not doing in-person research in a NARA research room

• When you are in a NARA research room, ask the staff about the options and procedures for ordering copies.
• When you cannot visit a NARA research room:
   
  • Order Online
     
  • Contact NARA with the details of the records you are looking for. NARA reference staff will let you know if you have enough information to order copies of records.
     
  • If you know the location of the records you are looking for, you can also contact that office directly:
    • Washington, DC area facilities (Washington, DC and College Park, MD)
      • Textual (paper) records
      • Motion picture, sound, and video records
      • Cartographic records
      • Still Picture records
      • Electronic records and associated documentation
    • Regional Archives Nationwide
    • Presidential Libraries
       
  • Please note that reference staff can only perform limited searches for you. Sometimes the only way to find enough information to be able to order copies is through in-person research in a NARA research room.
  • Hire an independent researcher

Self-Service Copying in a Research Room

When you are using records in a NARA research room, you can almost always make your own copies of both paper records and special media, such as film footage or photographs. See also our information on using scanners.

Copying procedures, the copying equipment that NARA provides, and the rules on what equipment you are allowed to bring varies in different NARA facilities.

Always check with the facility you are planning to visit.

• Washington, DC area facilities (Washington, DC and College Park, MD)
  • Textual (paper) records
  • Motion picture, sound, and video records
  • Cartographic records
  • Still Picture records
  • Electronic records and associated documentation
• Regional Archives Nationwide
• Presidential Libraries

When records cannot be copied

There are sometimes restrictions that prevent records from being copied. The most common are preservation priorities, copyright, and donor restrictions.  

If you have questions about specific materials, please check with the appropriate reference staff.

Fees

Fees are charged for reproduction of archival records. See our current fee schedule.