Records and archives

We're the keepers of one of Scotland's five national collections, with our archives containing records from the 12th century until the present day.

We also lead development of archival and records management practice in Scotland

About our records

What we hold

About the records in our collection, and who we accept records from
Accessing our search rooms

How to access our search rooms to see our physical records, and selected digital records
How to send us records

How authorised organisations can send us their records for storage and management
Time spent in care records

Guidance on searching for personal information on time spent in care, including for those considering applying to Scotland’s Redress Scheme
Loans from our collection

How to request a loan of records from our collection for temporary exhibitions
NRS web archive

About the NRS web archive, including what we capture and how we do it
Requesting temporary return of your records

How to request the temporary return of records you deposited with us
Adoption records

How to request information from adoption records, or order a copy of your adoption certificate
Sending us public authority records

Guidance for staff working in public authorities responsible for transferring archival records to us

Explore our records

NRS online public catalogue

A searchable database of the records we hold, and where they can be viewed
Scotland's People

With over 100 million records, Scotland's People is the official Scottish genealogy resource
National Register of Archives for Scotland

Searchable database of all items in the catalogue of the National Register of Archives Scotland
Your Scottish Archive

An online database with information about archive holders and archival collections across Scotland.
Access the NRS web archive

A collection of archived websites selected for preservation as part of our Web Continuity Service
Research guides

Access guides to the records and information we hold

Managing records

Public Records (Scotland) Act

Background and information on the Public Records (Scotland) Act, including what public authorities need to do
Records management plans

Information on records management plans, including how to produce one, and our model plan
Conservation

About our Conservation team and how they work to conserve and preserve our collections
Our records policies

Our published policies for how we conserve, manage and select records
Records legislation

About primary and secondary legislation that steers records management in Scotland
Records from public inquiries

How inquiry records should be managed and transferred to us, and what inquiries must do with their records
Managing our collection

The processes and policies we follow to make sure we effectively manage our collection

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