How can I access the Archives?

Answer

All researchers must register with us before they are permitted to view the archives, by completing a Reader Registration form (pdf) and presenting two forms of identification, one photographic and one proof of address as listed here. This can be done on the day of your visit.

Examples of identification accepted:

Photographic:

Passport
Photo driving licence
National ID card
Police/Customs/Home Office/warrant card
Armed Forces ID card
University ID card
International Student Identity Card (ISIC)
Freedom Pass or older person’s bus pass photo card
London taxicard

Proof of address:

Utility bill
Bank/building society statement
Credit card statement
Council tax bill
HM Revenue and Customs statement
Passports with address (where the address has been officially entered by the issuing authority)
National ID card with address
Driving licence with address
Home Office permit to stay
University certificate for hall of residence (stamped and signed by institution)
Home insurance policy
Pension, Benefit Agency or family credit letter statement
Student Loans Company letter

Please note that where a type of identification appears on both lists, it can only be used as one of the forms of identification.

Special undertaking for restricted access records

Any reader wishing to access restricted access records containing personal information must complete a Special Undertaking form.

Access to restricted access records will normally only be given to academic researchers, allied with an academic institution, who have received ethics clearance from that institution. Details of their research project and their ethics clearance, as well as details of how they will protect the data they access, must be submitted in the first instance to the Archives Services Manager before a decision will be made about whether to allow access.

Visiting the archives

You must make an appointment with us in order to visit the archives. You can do so by emailing us at archives@kcl.ac.uk. More information about visiting us can be found on our homepage.