Preparing a Visit to the Archives
Research
Before visiting the Federal Archives, you will have to do some research. Our website offers different ways to research the archive records of the Federal Archives.
If you have any questions during your research, please contact us. You will find the contact information on the ‘Contacts’ page. Alternatively, you can also commission a research service to search the Federal Archives on your behalf. The Federal Archives Act (specifically § 11 BArchG) also provides information on how to access archive material in the Federal Archives. All information on accessing Stasi documents can be found on the corresponding page.
Complete a research request form and order archive materials
To view specific archive material, please complete the relevant request form and send it by e-mail or post to the appropriate contact address. Please state the subject and purpose of your research in the application. You can also order archive materials via invenio.
Please note: A user can reserve or order a maximum of 50 archive items. The material will be available in the reading room for 21 days.
Booking an Appointment
Ideally, you should order the required archive materials via the invenio research tool approximately 14 days before your visit. This will give you enough time to clarify any access restrictions with the subject librarian. We recommend that you wait to book an appointment until after your request for access has been approved. Documents must be ordered by no later than 12 noon on the last workday before your visit.
If you would like to visit the library at short notice and your current subject has not yet been approved, please send a message to the respective location (Berlin-Lichterfelde: berlin@bundesarchiv.de, Freiburg: benutzersaal.freiburg@bundesarchiv.de, Koblenz: koblenz@bundesarchiv.de). Describe your topic as precisely as possible. We recommend that you send the completed and signed request form with your message. It may take some time before you receive a reply from the relevant department.
Response from the Federal Archives
In the next step, the Federal Archives will reply to your written request. We will let you know whether the relevant archive material can be viewed in accordance with the legal regulations and whether it will be available at the specified location on the date of your desired visit.
Visiting the Archive
Archive material can only be used at the specified location. Its use is regulated by the Reading Room Regulations. Contact details and the opening hours of the reading rooms can be found under ‘Öffnungszeiten und Kontakt’ (German website only).
Please contact the supervisory staff in the reading room. You can also complete a research request form when you get there. Here you will learn everything you need to know about the release of records.
