National Archives
Welcome back!
We are delighted to welcome you back to the National Archives Museum! The well-being of our visitors and staff is our top priority, and we have adjusted our visitor experience to meet the current health and safety guidelines.
About
The National Archives Museum is home to the Charters of Freedom, including the original Declaration of Independence, U.S. Constitution and Bill of Rights. The museum is situated in the heart of the National Mall in Washington, DC, surrounded by dozens of memorials, museums and historic areas.
Current Hours
Daily: 10am-5:30pm
Timed entry tickets are available. Timed entry ends 30 minutes prior to the museum's closure.
What is Currently on Display
The Rotunda of the National Archives Building in Washington, DC, is open for viewing of the Declaration of Independence, U.S. Constitution, and Bill of Rights. Starting August 16th, 2021, The Lawrence F. O’Brien Gallery, featuring Rightfully Hers: American Women and the Vote, and the David M. Rubenstein Gallery, featuring Records of Rights, will also be open to visitors.
Tickets
Timed entry tickets are required for entry. You may purchase a maximum of six tickets per session. While admission to the National Archives is free, there is a $1 convenience fee charged per ticket by the ticketing service provider (recreation.gov). Convenience fee sales are final and are not subject to refunds for any reason, even if the museum experiences an unannounced closure. Persons arriving after their scheduled ticket time are not guaranteed admission to the museum.
Visitor Services will be Limited
Effective July 28, 2021, face coverings must be worn at all times in all NARA facilities located in areas with substantial or high community transmission, and all NARA facilities in the Washington, DC, metropolitan area.
Practice Social Distancing.
Only visitors that require mobility assistance and those with strollers will be permitted to use elevators.
Food and beverage are not available in the Museum. A selection of retail items are available for purchase upon exiting the Museum. Retail items may also be purchased by visiting the National Archives Store at www.nationalarchivesstore.org.
Only one set of restrooms will be open and can be found on the entrance level.
Drinking fountains will be turned off, but visitors may bring in sealable water bottles. Drinking is prohibited in the Museum.
Photography and videography are prohibited in the National Archives Museum.
Only service animals are allowed.
Visitors agree to abide by the guidelines on the National Archives Museum's website and by all instructions posted in the museum or provided by staff during the visit.
Each of us plays a role in a successful and safe reopening. Thank you for your patience and commitment to honoring our new safety protocols.
Visit our website for more information about the National Archives Museum.
Welcome back!
We are delighted to welcome you back to the National Archives Museum! The well-being of our visitors and staff is our top priority, and we have adjusted our visitor experience to meet the current health and safety guidelines.
About
The National Archives Museum is home to the Charters of Freedom, including the original Declaration of Independence, U.S. Constitution and Bill of Rights. The museum is situated in the heart of the National Mall in Washington, DC, surrounded by dozens of memorials, museums and historic areas.
Current Hours
Daily: 10am-5:30pm
Timed entry tickets are available. Timed entry ends 30 minutes prior to the museum's closure.
What is Currently on Display
The Rotunda of the National Archives Building in Washington, DC, is open for viewing of the Declaration of Independence, U.S. Constitution, and Bill of Rights. Starting August 16th, 2021, The Lawrence F. O’Brien Gallery, featuring Rightfully Hers: American Women and the Vote, and the David M. Rubenstein Gallery, featuring Records of Rights, will also be open to visitors.
Tickets
Timed entry tickets are required for entry. You may purchase a maximum of six tickets per session. While admission to the National Archives is free, there is a $1 convenience fee charged per ticket by the ticketing service provider (recreation.gov). Convenience fee sales are final and are not subject to refunds for any reason, even if the museum experiences an unannounced closure. Persons arriving after their scheduled ticket time are not guaranteed admission to the museum.
Visitor Services will be Limited
Effective July 28, 2021, face coverings must be worn at all times in all NARA facilities located in areas with substantial or high community transmission, and all NARA facilities in the Washington, DC, metropolitan area.
Practice Social Distancing.
Only visitors that require mobility assistance and those with strollers will be permitted to use elevators.
Food and beverage are not available in the Museum. A selection of retail items are available for purchase upon exiting the Museum. Retail items may also be purchased by visiting the National Archives Store at www.nationalarchivesstore.org.
Only one set of restrooms will be open and can be found on the entrance level.
Drinking fountains will be turned off, but visitors may bring in sealable water bottles. Drinking is prohibited in the Museum.
Photography and videography are prohibited in the National Archives Museum.
Only service animals are allowed.
Visitors agree to abide by the guidelines on the National Archives Museum's website and by all instructions posted in the museum or provided by staff during the visit.
Each of us plays a role in a successful and safe reopening. Thank you for your patience and commitment to honoring our new safety protocols.
Visit our website for more information about the National Archives Museum.
Notifications and Alerts
The Rotunda of the National Archives Building in Washington, DC, is open for viewing of the Declaration of Independence, U.S. Constitution, and Bill of Rights with limited capacity from 10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. daily. Starting August 16th, 2021, The Lawrence F. O’Brien Gallery, featuring Rightfully Hers: American Women and the Vote, and the David M. Rubenstein Gallery, featuring Records of Rights, will also be open with limited capacity from 10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. A limited number of timed-entry tickets are currently available through October 31, 2021. Please monitor this website for additional ticket release dates. Timed-entry tickets will be required for entry. The reopening of the National Archives Museum and its continued operation will be contingent on local public health metrics remaining below targets for safe reopening.
Need to Know
- COVID-19 Enhanced Safety Measures
The National Archives Museum has implemented enhanced health and safety measures, but we cannot guarantee that any visitor will not contract COVID-19 while in the museum. An inherent risk of exposure to COVID-19 exists in any public place at this time. The requirement for bag inspection and visitor screening on entrance will result in an inability to guarantee our security officers can maintain 6-foot social distance during these procedures. Visitors to the National Archives Museum voluntarily assume all risks related to COVID-19 exposure.
- Face Coverings
Effective July 28, 2021, face coverings that cover both the nose and mouth must be worn at all times in all NARA facilities located in areas with substantial or high community transmission, and all NARA facilities in the Washington, DC metropolitan area. Visitors must provide their own face coverings.
Please practice social distancing.
- Entering the National Archives Museum
Visitors must check their temperature before arrival and on the day of the timed ticket to confirm that they do not have a fever. Any visitor displaying visible symptoms of COVID-19 will be denied entry.
- Practice Social Distancing
For your convenience, floor markers have been installed to indicate directional flow and proper spacing of individuals and groups. Practice social distancing during your visit by staying at least 6 feet from anyone not in your group. Groups of no more than 6 will be able to social distance together. Children must stay with adults at all times.
- Enhanced Cleaning Measures in Place
The National Archives Museum is conducting enhanced cleanings of the museum and high-touch areas. Hand sanitizer is available throughout the museum.
- Contact Tracing
The National Archives may share your name and email address with a governmental health authority should that information be requested for a COVID-19-related reason. If a visitor reports that she or he was diagnosed with COVID-19 after visiting the National Archives Museum near your visit, the National Archives will use your contact information to notify you. If you do not want your name or email address used for these purposes, please email us at visitorservices@nara.gov. The National Archives will not use your email address for any other purpose without your express permission.
- Not Feeling Well?
Please stay home if you or any of your group member is sick or experiencing signs of COVID-19.
Visitors agree to abide by the guidelines on the National Archives Museum's website and by all instructions posted in the museum or provided by staff during the visit.
Each of us plays a role in a successful and safe reopening. Thank you for your patience and commitment to honoring our new safety protocols.
Booking Windows
Changes and Cancellations
Ticket Information and Entry Procedures
Entry to the National Archives is free. However, a non-refundable $1.00 advance reservation convenience fee will be charged for each ticket. Changes are allowed on a ticket order at no additional charge. If you cancel, reservation fees are non-refundable.
Your reservation confirmation acts as your ticket.
Guided Tours are currently unavailable.
To assist in Social Distancing while inside the museum, the maximum number of Timed Entry Tickets an individual may reserve is limited to six tickets.
Once inside, National Archives Security will verify your Timed Entry Tickets.
Please arrive no more than 10 minutes before the scheduled time on your ticket. While we will do our best to honor the scheduled time on your ticket, entry to the National Archives museum will be subject to building capacity. Late arrivals cannot be guaranteed entry into the museum.
Please have your ticket(s) available (on your phone or printed) for entry.
Visitors will pass through airport-type security and metal detectors. Visitors, as well as their belongings, are subject to inspection. The requirement for bag inspection and visitor screening on entrance will result in an inability to guarantee our security officers can maintain 6-foot social distance during these procedures.
A limited number of wheelchairs are available on a first-come, first-served basis. To use them during your visit, please notify Security staff upon arrival after going through the metal detector. Wipes will be available for you to clean the surfaces before use.
Contact Information
Mailing Address
700 PENNSYLVANIA AVENUE NW Washington DC 20408
Phone Number
EMAIL: VISITORSERVICES@NARA.GOV PHONE NUMBER 202-357-5210
