United States » U.S. National Archives » General Resources

Access to Archival Databases (AAD) System

Online searchable database of over 50 million records from the National Archives.

Digitization at the National Archives

Featured Exhibits

Freedom of Information Act (FOIA)

NARA Archival Research Catalog (ARC)

online catalog of NARA's nationwide holdings in the Washington, DC area, Regional Archives and Presidential Libraries (formerly NAIL)

NARA Calendar of Events

For the National Archives facilities in and around Washington, DC and nationwide.

NARAtions - The Blog of the United States National Archives

National Historical Publications and Records Commission (NHPRC)

National Personnel Records Center

Houses the Official Personnel Folders (OPF) and Employee Medical Folders (EMF) of separated Federal civilian employees. CPR also houses personnel documents that date back to the mid-nineteenth century, although the bulk of the collection covers the period from 1900 to present. Also houses the medical records of military family members treated at Army, Air Force and Coast Guard medical facilities.

New to Archival Research?

Background information, definitions and tools to assist research in the archives of United States government.

Obtaining Copies of Records

Online Public Access

A centralized, streamlined means of searching multiple National Archives resources at once, including the Archival Research Catalog (ARC), Access to Archival Databases (AAD), Archives.gov, and the Electronic Records Archive (ERA).

Order Forms for Military Service and Family History Records

Including military service and pension records (NATF Form 86); military service records in the National Personnel Records Center in St. Louis, MO (Standard Form 180); Ship passenger arrival records (NATF Form 81); Census records (NATF Form 82); Eastern Cherokee land application records (NATF Form 83); Land entry files (NATF Form 84.)

Order Online!

Through Order Online! you can request reproductions of certain records held by NARA & pay for your order with most major credit cards.

Pathfinder for Women's History in the National Archives and Records Administration Library

Research by Federal Government Organization

Includes Presidential materials, Congressional record groups, executive agency record groups and federal court record groups.

Research by Location: A Nationwide Network of Facilities

Links to online information about NARA records and research facilities throughout the United States.

Research Facilities

Research in Federal Records and Presidential Materials By Media

Textual, microforms, cartographic, architectural, electronic, film, video, sound, photographs, graphic works, government documents and books.

Resources for Genealogists

What's New