We recommend that you first familiarise yourself with the Archival Information System AIS to search for records. Reference codes consist of the archive abbreviation and the collection (fonds), inventory and item numbers (e.g. EAA.1.2.3). All our records are described in AIS. You can search by a person's name, a place name or other keywords, and use * in place of letters that may vary. The results show the titles of records containing your keywords. Click a title to see which fonds the record belongs to (i.e. which institution created it) and where it is held. You can also see whether it has been digitised — if there is a black link "View image", this is a link to the image in the Saaga portal. You can also place a reading room loan order or a copy order directly using the link "Order" in an AIS entry (e.g. see EAA.854.1.34). The records can be ordered for use in the respective reading rooms in Tartu, Tallinn, Valga or Rakvere. Please check the reading room location.

Placing an order via VAU. First, click the tab "Orders" —> type in the first reference code —> choose "Order type": Loan —> choose the "Purpose" —> click "Add". You can then enter your other orders. Finally, confirm your orders (you can select them all at once by ticking the box next to "No.") — your orders will then be sent to the reading room staff. You can also check their status ("Orders" —> subtab "Sent").

Please read more about ordering copies here.

Address: Nooruse 3, 50411 Tartu

• Phone: +372 738 7521
• E-mail: tartu@ra.ee

Opening hours:

• From 1 September to 31 May: Monday–Friday 9–19
• From 1 June to 31 August: Monday–Friday 9–15
• On days before public holidays: 9–13

Requests for reading room loans and copies should be placed through VAU (—> the tab "Orders", please see more). You may photograph records in the reading room free of charge and a scanner is also available. Wi-Fi is also available.

The National Archives in Tallinn has moved! The old Madara Street reading room is closed. On 4 November 2025, we opened a temporary research room at the new Tallinn centre of the National Archives, in the newly renovated National Library building at Endla 3. Opening hours: Monday to Friday 9–17.

Address: Endla 3, 10122 Tallinn

• Phone: +372 693 8668
• E-mail: tallinn@ra.ee

Opening hours:

• Monday to Friday 9–17

Requests for reading room loans and copies should be placed via VAU (—> the tab "Orders", please see more). You may photograph records in the reading room free of charge and a scanner is also available. Wi-Fi is available.

Address: Näituse 23, 44314 Rakvere

• Phone: +372 323 2160
• E-mail: rakvere@ra.ee

Opening hours:

• Monday–Friday 9–16
• On days before public holidays 9–12

Requests for reading room loans and copies should be placed through VAU (—> the tab "Orders", please see more). You may photograph records in the reading room free of charge.

Address: Vabaduse 6, 68204 Valga

• Phone: +372 766 8870
• E-mail: valga@ra.ee

Opening hours:

• Monday–Friday 9–12 and 14–16
• On days before public holidays 9–12

Requests for reading room loans and copies should be placed via VAU (—> the tab "Orders", please see more). You may photograph records in the reading room free of charge.

Address: Endla 3, 10318 Tallinn

• Phone: +372 693 8610
• E-mail: filmiarhiiv@ra.ee

Opening hours:

• Monday–Thursday 9–17
• Fridays 9–16