Visit Us

Visit our Search Rooms in Edinburgh

Our search rooms are open 9:00-16:00 Monday - Friday with the exception of the following public holidays when our buildings will be closed:

Friday 29 March 2024
Monday 1 April 2024
Monday 6 May 2024
Monday 16 September 2024
Wednesday 25 December 2024
Thursday 26 December 2024
Friday 27 December 2024
Monday 30 December 2024
Tuesday 31 December 2024
Wednesday 1 January 2025
Thursday 2 January 2025

Customers should also be aware that significant works on New Register House began in June 2023. This work will future proof the building, ensuring it can continue to be used for the storage and protection of records into the future.

On site services and access will continue as usual and every effort will be made to minimise disruption. Please note, we no longer offer a public counter service to order/collect official extracts, please click here for information on how to order.

Archive Search Rooms

The National Records of Scotland (NRS) operates three search rooms for the consultation of archive records for historical research: The majority of NRS archives are consulted in the Historical Search Room and the adjacent Digital Archive Search Room in our main building, General Register House. Maps and Plans (unless they are digitised) are accessed in the Maps and Plans Search Room in Thomas Thomson House, which is located in the west of Edinburgh.  

If you wish to consult our genealogical resources in the ScotlandsPeople Centre, please visit ScotlandsPeople Centre for more information on using these services.

All search room visitors should report to front door at General Register House, via Princes Street. 

Signage is in place to direct customers and visitors. The accessible entrances to General Register House and New Register House are located at the Archivist’s Garden.

We recommend that you read the following pages to assist in planning your visit:

• Safety Measures in our buildings
• Historical & Digital Archive Search Rooms (including access to Maps and Plans)
• Disabled access and facilities

We also offer a Legal Search Service for the provision of legal records.

Find out more about The Archivists' Garden