How to view our records

Visit us

Click for larger map of The National Archives

Visit Kew to see original documents or records. Entrance is free and there is no need to book.

The National Archives
Kew, Richmond
Surrey TW9 4DU

Pay for research

Use our paid search service or find an independent researcher.

Order copies

We can either copy our records onto paper or deliver them to you digitally.

Still need help?

Live chat

For quick pointers.
Tuesday to Saturday
09:00 to 17:00

Email

For more detailed research enquiries.

Online exhibitions

RAIL 253/516: Xmas greetings from the front. View in Image library

Explore different historic periods and themes through images and extracts from our collections.

Other research tools

INF 3/1510: Submarine control room, 1939-1946 View in Image library

For some types of records there are additional search tools. Use these online resources and our on site library to search for records and find out more about them.

Read our latest blog posts

Opening up web archives to research and innovation

Last month, I blogged about The National Archives’ collaboration with City, University of London, to visualise data from our collections in new ways. I wrote...

Play podcasts

Pathé: The Summer Day

The National Archives education team’s film of the month highlights a Pathé film relating to current events, anniversaries or key topics that you may...

View webinars

Webinar: Missing from the census?

Census records are invaluable sources of information for all family historians. But what if you can’t find your ancestor on the census? This webinar...

Reading old documents

KB 27/1012 m1: Court of King's Bench Coram Rege Rolls detail 6 Hen VIII Trin View in Image library

Our range of online tutorials on Latin and palaeography will help you to read documents from the medieval period and beyond, through practical activities and useful examples.

Start here

INF 3/403: Women for Industry Women of Britain. Come into the factories... Artist Zec , 1939-1946View in Image library

If you are new to The National Archives and want some help getting started with your family history or any other kind of research, you're in the right place.

Video guides

Quick video guides about our records, your research and the documents you'll find at The National Archives. View all video guides

Finding records in other organisations

How detailed is the catalogue?

Citing documents

Read our guidance on how to cite records and catalogues held by The National Archives in notes, publications and theses.