If you intend to research your ancestors in the State Central Archive or in the regional state archives, please write to:

Ministry of the Interior of the Czech Republic
Department of Archival Administration
Milady Horákové 133
166 21 Prague 6
Czech Republic – Europe

The processing time for requests is usually several months; in the case of the State Central Archive, it may take up to 12 months.

Archives may set limits on the quantity of archival materials from which reproductions can be made, or may refuse requests to “copy” entire sections or complete archival collections. In some cases, it is not possible to make copies due to the physical condition of the original documents, which could be seriously damaged or degraded by exposure to light or by being placed in copying equipment. Requests for translation into English generally cannot be accommodated. Basic information is usually communicated to applicants in the original language of the document, most commonly Czech, Latin, or German.

Archival research carried out in public archives in the Czech Republic is subject to fees in accordance with the Price List of Services Provided by Public Archives, which forms part of Decree No. 645/2004 Coll., implementing certain provisions of the Act on Archives and Records Management (Act No. 499/2004 Coll.), as amended.

Archives are not authorized to process requests for duplicates or copies of birth certificates, marriage certificates, death certificates, or other vital records, the issuance of which falls under the authority of registry offices. If relevant source materials are located, such requests are forwarded to the appropriate registry office, which is authorized to prepare and issue replacement documents and to charge the applicable fees.