Search the website | Search the catalogue

Not all of our records are available to view online but you can search for brief descriptions of them in Discovery, our catalogue.

Search our catalogue using keywords and dates to find descriptions of records you are interested in.

Your search results will let you know if the records can be viewed online or not.

If a record is not viewable online, you have three options:

• visit us in Kew, London to do your own research. Remember to bring the correct ID, as you will need a reader’s ticket to see original documents
• request a paid search
• order copies of documents if you have the full document references

Looking for records that are not online can be a time-consuming process and, as with any search in archival records, there is never a guarantee of success.

A good place to start is with our research guidance A-Z.

Remember to check other archives too as these have popular records not available at The National Archives.

If you visit us in person come prepared so you can make the most of your visit.

Ready to start?

• Search our records using Discovery, our catalogue
• Use our person, place, or subject research guides

Want to ask us a question?

• You can contact us, via our online forms, by email, phone or live chat

The National Archives, Kew, Richmond, Surrey, TW9 4DU. Tel: +44 (0) 20 8876 3444. Contact us