How do I find old government documents?

Subscription Databases for Finding Government Documents

Government Periodicals Index.
GPO Monthly Catalog.
HeinOnline U.S. Congressional Documents Library.
ProQuest Congressional.
U.S. Documents Masterfile: 1774-2016.

Are the national archives available online?

The National Archives and Records Administration’s new Online Public Access prototype is being made available to the public today. The prototype currently contains all of the data from ARC, and seven series from AAD, containing 10.9 million permanent electronic records.

How do I obtain federal records?

If the information you want is not publicly available, you can submit a FOIA request to the agency’s FOIA Office. The request simply must be in writing and reasonably describe the records you seek. Most federal agencies now accept FOIA requests electronically, including by web form, e-mail or fax.

How do I get information from the National Archives?

Go to the Catalog main page at: www.archives.gov/research/catalog/. Conduct a search for the records of interest to you. You can search by keyword, National Archives Identifier (NAID), or type of archival material.

Where are government records stored?

the National Archives
Since 1934, the National Archives has been legally responsible for most of the U.S. government’s documents (federal, congressional, and presidential records) from 1776 to the present. Since 1950, Federal agencies follow agreements called records schedules, which prescribe how long all Federal documents must be kept.

Where can I find declassified government documents?

Free Resources for Finding Declassified Documents

CIA: Electronic Reading Room.
Department of State: Freedom of Information Act.
FBI Records: The Vault – FOIA Library.
Federation of American Scientists: Project on Government Secrecy.

Can you search the National Archives for free?

We are making digital records available on our website free of charge for the time being, while our reading room services are limited. Registered users will be able to order and download up to ten items at a time, to a maximum of 100 items over 30 days.

How do I order NARA Records?

To order, you can either:

Order online, and place your order for these records directly through the web. Ordering online requires that you register as a user and that you pay with a credit card.
Request these records using our special paper forms. Contact us to have these blank forms mailed to you.

Is the National Archives free?

What and where is the National Archives Building & Museum? The museum is open every day of the year except Thanksgiving Day and Christmas Day. Its hours are 10 a.m. – 5:30 p.m., seven days a week. Admission is always free.

What can I do with the government records database?

This site will allow you to locate and investigate anyone, perform background checks, find public records, phone numbers, reverse search records of any kind, and much more. The database search above for records is an example search that represents information that may be available in the government records members area.

Where can I go to search for government documents?

Government documents search engines. USA.gov. The U.S. government’s official web portal. Government Documents Center (University of Michigan Library) This resource provides access thousands of web sites with government or statistical information. Users can browse or search the site.

Do you have to be a member to search in the government database?

The database search above for records is an example search that represents information that may be available in the government records members area. You must become a member to obtain public records results. We can not guarantee the accuracy or completeness of results obtained. All search querries are 100% anonymous and confidential.

Are there any public records that are sealed?

Some government public records are sealed and not public domain such as juvenile records, medical records, military records and social security information. The Freedom of Information Act of 1967 is a federal law that gives the general public the right to make a request to any federal agency to access these government records.

How does the public get access to government records?

Government Public Records via FOIA. The Freedom of Information Act of 1967 is a federal law that gives the general public the right to make a request to any federal agency to access these government records. This law is often described as the law that allows citizens to hold the government accountable.