We issue archival notices based on information in the records to establish and certify the rights of individuals and institutions. You can submit an enquiry to the National Archives to apply for:

• an archival notice to certify your rights or transactions with public authorities, for a state fee of 25 euros;
• an information letter for personal use or research, for a fee of 30 euros. Please note that the archives cannot undertake extensive research. Guidance on conducting your own research is available here. Paid research services are available from the Estonian Biographical Center.

How do I complete the online enquiry form?

Please include as much detail as possible. The more background information you provide, the easier it is for an archivist to prepare an archival notice.

Archival information is provided in accordance with the Archives Act and the Archival Rules.

An archival notice is a document signed and certified by an archivist, based on information in archival records about an event, subject or person. It establishes and certifies the rights of an individual or institution on the basis of that information.

Archival notices are issued only in Estonian (the official state language).

Yes. Receiving an archival notice electronically is convenient, saves paper and helps protect the environment. When you fill in the enquiry form, please specify that you would like to receive the archival notice electronically. A state fee payment notice will be sent to you after your enquiry has been reviewed. You will receive the digitally signed archival notice at your email address within 30 days.

Please make sure that your computer has the software needed to open digitally signed documents.

If you need archival information for personal use or research, the archives issue an information letter. The enquiry fee is 30 euros. Please note that the archives cannot undertake extensive research on behalf of enquirers.

Under § 346 of the State Fees Act, a state fee of 25 euros is payable for an archival notice needed for certifying your rights or transactions with public authorities.

The following institutions are exempt from payment of the state fee (according to the State Fees Act):

• state and local government institution;
• investigative bodies, courts and prosecutor's offices;
• notaries;
• the Ministry of Justice (when forwarding applications under the International Agreement of Legal Assistance);
• tax authorities;
• bailiffs.

If you need archival information for personal use or research and indicate this in your application, the archives issue an information letter. The enquiry fee is 30 euros. Please note that the archives cannot undertake extensive research on behalf of enquirers.

For copies included with an information letter, charges apply in accordance with the price lists approved by the State Archivist.

Investigative bodies, courts and prosecutor's offices, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs or an Estonian diplomatic mission, the Ministry of Justice (in the cases mentioned above) and tax authorities are also exempt from charges for copying services (according to the State Archivist's directive № 71 of 22 December 2011).

A state fee payment notice will be sent to you after your enquiry has been reviewed. Pay the state fee to the Ministry of Finance account using the reference numbers on the notice. On request, you may also pay in cash at any branch of the National Archives of Estonia. You will receive a reply within 30 days of receipt of payment.

Payment for an information letter or copies is made on the basis of an invoice issued by the archives. You may pay to the Ministry of Finance account using the reference numbers on the invoice, or in cash at any branch of the National Archives of Estonia. Postage is charged in accordance with the price list of Estonian Post Ltd.

Enquiries are answered as soon as possible and within 30 days. An archival notice may be collected by the applicant or a person authorised by the applicant at the appropriate branch of the National Archives of Estonia, or sent to the postal address provided in the application form.

The state fee or service fee, together with any copying charges, must be paid before the archival notice or information letter is issued.