National Archives — Washington, D.C.

Address		The National Archives and Records Administration Mail to: 8601 Adelphi Rd. College Park, MD 20740-6001 Location: 700 Pennsylvania Avenue NW Washington, D.C. 20408 Telephone: 1-86-NARA-NARA or 1-866-272-6272 Fax: (301) 837-0483 Web site: http://www.archives.gov/index.html
Hours		Monday and Wednesday: 8:45 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Tuesday, Thursday, and Friday: 8:45 a.m. to 9:00 p.m. Saturday: 8:45 a.m. to 4:45 p.m. Closed Sundays and Federal holidays

Holdings

The National Archives holds historical records dating from the Revolutionary War to the present. The original records include photographs, maps, architectural drawings, video and sound recordings, and textual records relating to United States history; including subjects such as the expansion of the United States, wars and military history, Native Americans, slavery, the judicial system, immigration, and the activities of government agencies. The most heavily used records are on microfilm. These include U.S. census records for all states from 1790-1920, excluding 1890; census records indexes for 1880, 1900, 1910, and 1920; military service records; passenger arrival lists; and naturalization records after September 1906.

Access to Records

On Site

Researchers who plan to use the original records on-site should schedule visits in advance. All researchers using original records need to get a researcher ID card. Records may be photocopied unless the condition of the document prohibits it. Researchers who plan to use the microfilm records can do so in the self-service microfilm reader room. No appointment is necessary but there is a time limit for use of the readers when other researchers are waiting. Self-service microfilm to paper copies are available.

Through the Mail

The National Archives staff will not do genealogical research for you. However, they can look up and copy a particular record if you have detailed information about that record. Costs are usually less than $10. If you are looking for a specific type of record, call or write to find out what information is required before the staff will initiate a search.

Literature Available

A number of important pamphlets are available through the Archives. You may consider ordering the following pamphlets to help you in your search:

• Information About the National Archives for Prospective Researchers
• The National Archives, Washington, D.C.
• Select List of Publications of the National Archives and Records Administration
• Ordering Reproductions from the National Archives
• Military Service Records in the National Archives of the United States
• Using Records in the National Archives for Genealogical Research
• Using Census Records
• The National Archives Microfilm Rental Program