Frequently Asked Questions Related to In-Person Research

How do I know when research rooms are open?

Check the specific facility page to determine when a facility is open for research. 

Do I need an appointment to conduct research at the National Archives?

Please consult the specific facility page to determine if research room appointments are required. 

In the Washington, DC, area, advance research appointments are highly encouraged, but you may also conduct research as a walk-in, without an advance research appointment. 

How can I request an appointment?

Please email the relevant facility using the contact information on their facility page to request an appointment. Check the specific facility page for details and to determine if research room appointments are required. 

Should I contact NARA in advance of my onsite research visit?

We highly recommend that you contact NARA at least four weeks in advance of your in-person research visit. Staff are available to provide advance consultation services and answer questions about visiting a NARA facility. You can contact a knowledgeable staff member by using the contact information on the relevant facility page.

How are reference consultations conducted?

NARA staff are available to provide reference consultation services via email, phone, or video, to assist you in planning and preparing for your visit, and in identifying records to be pulled for your visit. Advance consultation is highly encouraged to ensure the requested records are located at the facility, records are available for viewing upon your arrival, and any questions are answered. The consultations will be used to provide information about NARA’s holdings and are generally scheduled for an hour or less. Please come prepared to discuss your research needs, in as much specificity as possible.

For research rooms outside the Washington, DC, area, advance consultation and advance pull is required. 

In the DC area, advance consultation is highly encouraged. However, you may request a research room appointment without an advance consultation or conduct research as a walk-in visitor, and NARA staff will be available to assist with consultation and records servicing on the day of your research visit. An advance pull may not be available without advance consultation.

What are the research room hours?

Research room hours are as follows:

• DC-area research rooms: 9 a.m.–5 p.m. ET 
• Research rooms outside the DC area: 9 a.m.–4 p.m. local time (except New York, which is open 10 a.m.–4 p.m. ET) 
• St. Louis microfilm research room: 9 a.m.–4 p.m. CT
• In person reference consultation hours are 9 a.m.–4 p.m. local time

Are microfilm readers, public access computers, copy machines, etc. available for use? 

The availability of these resources varies from facility to facility. Please email the facility you wish to visit using the contact information on their facility page for details. 

How will the records I’ve requested be pulled?

Advance consultation and advance pull is required for research rooms outside the Washington, DC, area. 

In the Washington, DC, area, advance pulls may be available for researchers who have engaged in an advance consultation. Additionally, NARA staff will be available to assist you with consultation and records servicing on the day of your research visit.

What measures are in place to ensure the safety of researchers and staff?

NARA’s COVID-19 Workplace Safety Plan documents our protocols to protect the safety of our staff and visitors.

How will NARA conduct exit inspections upon completion of research for the day?

Upon completion of research for the day, NARA staff or security guards will inspect your personal property for record material. This includes laptops, scanners, and other equipment where record material could be erroneously placed. Per NARA’s COVID-19 Workplace Safety Plan, at medium and high hospital admission levels, NARA encourages occupants to consider physical distancing. If the facility is located in a county at medium or high hospital admission levels, the inspection will follow these procedures: You will place equipment and materials to be inspected on your assigned table in plain view, for visual inspection. After placing the equipment on the table, you will step back to comply with physical distancing requirements.

Will NARA provide Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) for researchers?

No. You must supply your own PPE. You are permitted to wear your own latex or vinyl gloves. Gloves will only be provided for handling photographs, negatives, and film, as currently required by NARA research room procedures.​

Are lockers available for researchers?

Lockers are available if needed.

How will I know if a research room is closed due to inclement weather?

Researchers with an appointment will be contacted by email by research room staff if there is a weather-related research room closure.

In the event of inclement weather, DC-area researchers can also check OPM.gov for the operating status of DC-area facilities. If the OPM operating status indicates an office closure or provides staff the option of unscheduled leave or unscheduled telework, the research room will not open that day. 

Are the DC-area shuttle and cafeterias available?

The free shuttle that runs between the National Archives Building in Washington, DC, and the National Archives at College Park is available. It runs on the hour from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. ET, Monday through Friday. The cafeterias and food services in both buildings are open.

What forms of payment may I use to make reproductions of records while conducting research in a NARA research room?

We accept MasterCard, VISA, American Express, and Discover credit and debit cards via our online portal which is available on public access computers at NARA facilities.