National Archives is an Estonian archival centre with units in Tallinn, Tartu, Rakvere, and Valga. The collections of the National Archives are available via the archive’s information system AIS, where it is possible to perform a search by entering titles of archives, series and records, or keywords.
National Archives draws responses to enquiries based on archival materials and submits archival notices. Notices are prepared based on the data found in the archival materials concerning some event, subject or person.
An archival enquiry has to be submitted if you need an archival notice to certify rights or transactions. The state fee for an archival notice is 25 euros.
You can also submit an archival enquiry if you need information due to personal interest. The fee for drafting a response letter is 30 euros. The archives cannot perform any extensive research.
In the case of genealogical research, the archive does not provide the service of conducting extensive research or drawing up a genealogy, but it guides you to respective sources to use independently.Instructions for conducting individual research are available in the Research section at the virtual reading room VAU.
Archival notices can be applied also in the VAU, where you have to choose the respectiv Archival Enquiry form. This is also where you can find all the information about applying for a notice, methods of payment and delivery.
For example, you can inquire
- about working for proof of years of pensionable service.
- about the ownership of buildings and properties, as well as the ownership of industrial undertakings, ships, and securities until 1940.
- about the citizenship of the Estonian Republic in 1918–1940 and release from citizenship to apply for citizenship.
- to order the archival documents needed for the succession procedure.
- about other personal information, such as your birth time, repression during the German and Russian occupations, military service in the Soviet army, etc.
- to use the films and photos of the Film Archive of the National Archives.
Inquiries can also be submitted on site:
- at 3 Endla Street in Tallinn
- at 3 Nooruse Street in Tartu
- at 23 Näituse Street in Rakvere
- at 6 Vabaduse Street in Valga.
For more information, visit the website of the National Archives, call 738 7500 or e-mail [email protected].
References
- Virtual reading rooms of National Archives of Estonia (VAU)
- Archival Information System (AIS)
- Digitalised archival sources (Saaga)
- Meediateek (photo, film and sound materials)
- National Archives Photo Database (Fotis)
- Register of the maps in the National Archives of Estonia