Policies and Procedures
Ordering Records Found in ARC
Our research rooms are open to the public. You can visit the location listed in each description to see the records. Alternatively you can contact that location to arrange for copies of the records. Researchers should allow at least 48 hours for offices to retrieve records that are stored off site.
For more information on visiting our facilities please go to our
Planning Your Research Visit page.
For more information on ordering photocopies please go to our
Obtaining Copies of Records page.
Records Restrictions
Most government records are in the public domain, however, some of our records may have donor, copyright, or other restrictions. Restrictions will be noted in the individual ARC descriptions.
Some restrictions limit what can be reproduced without special permission. Consult reference staff for details on specific items. The National
Archives and Records Administration cannot guarantee the status of specific items. Purchasers use them at their own risk.
Donor Imposed Restrictions
Some of the images in which you are interested may be restricted by donor agreement. To
purchase a copy of these materials, you must obtain permission from the donor. For some
assistance, please see the
Source and Permission Contact List.
Copyright Restrictions
Some of the images in which you are interested may be copyrighted. It is the user's responsibility to identify the copyright owner and to obtain all necessary clearances before making commercial, broadcast, or other use of this material. For some assistance, please see the
Source and Permission Contact List.
The copyright law of the United States (Title 17, United States Code) governs the making of
photocopies or other reproductions of copyrighted material. Under certain conditions specified
in the law, libraries and archives are authorized to furnish a photocopy or other reproduction. One of these specific conditions is that the photocopy or reproduction is not to be "used for any purpose other than private study, scholarship, or research." If a user makes a request for, or later uses a photocopy or reproduction for purposes in excess of "fair use," that user may be liable for copyright infringement.
The National Archives reserves the right to refuse to accept a copying order if, in its judgment, fulfillment of the order would involve violation of copyright law.
Freedom of Information Act (FOIA)
Visit our FOIA page for more information.
Using microfilm copies of our original records
The Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) part 1254.20 (b) requires that "researchers must use microfilm copies or other alternative copies of documents when available, rather than the original documents." This policy helps to preserve the original materials. The original materials may be provided only if legible reproductions cannot be made from the microfilm and the condition of the originals will not be harmed by handling.
Top of Page
Blogs
Facebook
Flickr
RSS Feeds
Twitter
YouTube
