Obtain copies of records

Photocopies can be made of most loose documents, although photocopying of bound volumes, maps, plans and drawings and large/outsize/fragile documents is not permitted. Alternative copying techniques such as scanning and photography should be discussed with the Duty Archivist if necessary.

Order copies of records

• Orders should be addressed to the National Archives, Bishop Street, Dublin 8.
• The maximum number of orders which may be made by post at any one time is four.
• Orders for copies of records may be ordered in person or by post but cannot be accepted over the phone or by email – orders are processed only when payment has been received.
• Copies ordered in person in the Reading Room are paid for in advance and can be collected or posted as required – current postage and packing rates apply.

Fees

• All fees must be paid in full before copies will be dispatched and Court Fee Payment slips and/or cash attached to orders are not accepted.
• Cheques, bankdrafts or money orders should be made payable to the ‘National Archives’.
• Orders from abroad must be paid in euro and payment should accompany initial enquiries.

Text documents

• In accordance with current copyright legislation, the National Archives can provide copies of documents for the purposes of research or private study.
• Bound volumes or fragile documents cannot be photocopied.
• A copying service providing on-the-spot photocopying of small format, flat, paper documents is available in the Microfilm Room and all photocopying of records is done by National Archives’ staff.
• The cost of these copies is €0.25 per page or alternatively, €2 for 8 pages using a photocopying card which can be purchased at the Reading Room desk or in the Microfilm Room.

Plain copy (consisting of a photocopy or microform print-out of the document)

• The minimum fee is €2.54 including postage within the State and to Northern Ireland – postage to other countries is extra.
• Plain copies of testamentary material, census returns and other documents made from microforms cost €0.25 per page. Such orders are subject to the minimum cost of €2.54 as outlined above.

Certified copy (authenticated copy – signed and sealed)

• The fee is €4.44 for each copy (postage charges as for plain copies).
• Where a Will and Grant of Representation (Grant of Probate or Grant of Administration) are required, these count as two separate copies for fees purposes.
• Where wills are available from surviving will books solely and where no microfilm copy exists, copies are only made by means of photographs which cost €9 for a standard black and white photograph 10″ x 8″.

Testamentary copy

Before applying for testamentary copies, please note that the National Archives does not hold wills and grants of administration which are less than twenty years old. Application should be made instead to the Probate Office, First Floor, 15-24 Phoenix Street North, Smithfield, Dublin 7.

The following details should be supplied where available and when ordering testamentary copies or making enquiries:

• The full name of the deceased
• The date and place of issue of the grant
• *The date or year of death
• The former address of the deceased
• The reference number (if known)

Testamentary copy application form

*Where the date of death is not known (and post-1864), an application should be made to the General Register Office, Government Offices, Convent Road, Roscommon, where the registers of births, marriages and deaths are held.

Where the place and date of grant is unknown, a personal visit to the National Archives may be required to ascertain this information as the National Archives does not carry out searches. For members of the public unable to undertake their research in person, there is the option of employing professional researchers and those who undertake paid searches in the National Archives. Please note that the National Archives does not accept any responsibility for either the work done or the fees charged by any of the researchers listed.

Microform (microfilm and microfiche)

Readers may obtain copies of documents on microfilm and microfiche by using the 8 self-service microform reader-printers in the Reading Room. A pre-paid copying card for printing purposes costs €2 for 8 print-outs and single photocopies cost €0.25 per page. The photocopy cards are available for purchase at the Reading Room desk and in the Microfilm Room which is situated just off the Reading Room. The cards can be used for both the self-service microform facility and the on-the-spot photocopying service in the Microfilm Room.

In order to avail of the self-service microfilm facility, readers must ensure that they have their reader’s ticket with them at all times as they will be requested to present it when borrowing a microfilm or microfiche.

Photographs and outsize material

Photographs, outsize material, bound volumes and maps, plans and drawings may not be photocopied but may be photographed, either by a member of staff or by readers themselves outside of office hours (17.00-18.00) subject to the agreement and availability of the Duty Archivist.

Subject to the physical condition of the material and the consent of the Duty Archivist, standard/non-outsize material may be photographed by readers in the Reading Room during the following times: 10.30-11.00 and 15.00-15.30.