About The National Archives
What we do
We collect and secure the future of the government record, from Shakespeare’s will to tweets from Downing Street, to preserve it for generations to come, making it as accessible and available as possible.
What we hold
Our collection is one of the largest in the world, containing over 11 million historical government and public records. From Domesday Book to modern government papers and digital files, our collection includes paper and parchment, digital records and websites, photographs, posters, maps, drawings and paintings.
As a general rule, government records that have been selected for permanent preservation are sent to us when they are 30 years old, though the government has begun its move towards releasing records when they are 20 years old. Many are also transferred to us earlier under the Freedom of Information Act.
Working at The National Archives
We need passionate, ambitious and innovative individuals to help us change the way people think about archives.
We employ over 600 staff in a diverse range of roles, from records specialists and researchers to web developers and marketing assistants - and we want you to join us.