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Researchers at tables in the search room studying archival materials.

Welcome to the State Archives

The State Archives provides guidance on preservation and management of government records and collects, preserves and provides public access to historically significant archival materials relating to North Carolina.

Researcher standing on one side of the reference desk and archivists standing on the other side, helping them find materials

How can we help you?

Ordering copies or requesting research? Looking for your college transcript? Need permission to use an item? Searching for our fees list?

Letter of Marque issued by John Hancock - a printed document with certain information filled in by hand. It is very worn around the edges and shows evidence of having been folded in quarters.

America 250 NC

Learn more about events, news, digitized materials, and other projects related to the America 250 commemoration of the American Revolution.

Open book on a table in front of stacks of archival fibredex boxes.

Upcoming Events

See what webinars, talks, training sessions, and other upcoming events are available from the Division of Archives and Records.

Search results for Wake County from the DOC catalog

Discover Online Catalog (DOC)

The State Archives online catalog allows researchers to search the most up to date version of our holdings.

Plan a visit to:

State Archives of North Carolina

Raleigh, NC

Outer Banks History Center

Manteo, NC

Western Regional Archives

Asheville, NC

Researcher reading a volume in the conservation lab

Volunteer with Us

Volunteers and interns learn new skills, enhance career opportunities, and make professional and social contacts.

Learn About Volunteering Opportunities

Part of two pages in a World War 1 diary.

TranscribeNC

Help improve access to historic documents by transcribing diaries, letters, and other materials from the collections of the State Archives.

Help with Transcription Projects

Retention and Disposition Schedules for Records

Local Government Schedules

State Agency Schedules

Higher Education Schedules

Want More?

Documenting Modern State Government

The North Carolina State Government Website and Social Media Archives is a service of the State Archives and the Library of North Carolina. The archives contain state government agency, licensing board, and commission websites and social media pages, and includes images and audio and video files; agency policies and publications posted on sites; and board and commission meeting minutes.

Nurses Are Needed Now poster from the State Archives of North Carolina

Search the North Carolina Digital Collections

The North Carolina Digital Collections contain over 175,000 historic and recent photographs, state government publications, manuscripts, and other resources on topics related to North Carolina. The Collections are free and full-text searchable, and bring together content from the State Archives of North Carolina and the Library of North Carolina.

Visit Our Blogs

Stay up-to-date with State Archives projects, upcoming events, and more by following History For All the People. Visit the G.S. 132 Files to read about records management news, upcoming training opportunities, and more. Visit the Western Regional Archives in their blog space.

Connecting the Docs

Connecting the Docs is a podcast from the State Archives of North Carolina. Our archivists use archival materials to bring you fascinating, true stories from around the Old North State. Sometimes archival records solve a puzzle, and other times, they start one.