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Information about the Office of Public Records

The Office of Public Records is mandated by DC Law 6-19 and the District of Columbia Municipal Regulations, Title 1, Chapter 15, to review and approve agency records retention schedules; train records officers in implementing the policies, procedures, and guidelines of managing records; collect, store, preserve, conserve and service historical records in the custody of the Archives; collect, store and service temporary records in the custody of the Records Center; and collect, store and service publications in the custody of the Library of Government Information.

Public Records and Archive Services is managed and administered through the Office of Public Records and Archives.

Service Details:

Deeds, Land and Property

Corporations

Genealogy

Historical Documents

Research Building Permits and Architectural Plans

Related Services:

District of Columbia Archives

Library of Government Information

Public Records Center

Service Contact:

Office of Public Records, Administrator

Contact Email: archives@dc.gov

Contact Phone: (202) 671-1105

Contact Fax: (202) 727-6076

Contact TTY: 711

Office Hours: Monday to Friday 8:15 am to 4:45 pm

Service Location:

GIS Address:

1300 Naylor Court, NW

Washington, DC 20001

Office of the Secretary - OS

Office Hours
Monday to Friday, 9 am to 5 pm

Connect With Us
1350 Pennsylvania Avenue NW, Suite 419, Washington, DC 20004
Phone: (202) 727-6306
Fax: (202) 727-3582
TTY: 711
Alternate Number: Notary: (202) 727-3117
Email: secretary@dc.gov

Ask the Secretary of the District of Columbia

Agency Performance

Kimberly A. Bassett

Secretary of the District of Columbia

Thank you for your interest in the DC Office of Public Records. Please use the links below to begin your journey.

Request Records from the DC Archives
The District of Columbia Archives holds historical and permanently valuable records of the DC Government such as birth and death records, wills, land records and marriage records. Historic records on file include the original wills of Alexander Graham Bell, Francis Scott Key, James Madison, Dolly Madison, Woodrow Wilson, Oliver Wendell Holmes and Frederick Douglass, and the birth certificate for Duke Ellington.
OPR Digital Collections
Use this link to access digital collections from the Office of Public Records and Archives. Documents include land record cards, genealogical records, and photographs from the OPR collection. This site will be frequently updated with digitized records from our collection.
Records Management for the District of Columbia
Records are the institutional memory of government. Every agency is responsible for creating and maintaining records that adequately document the organization, functions, policies, procedures, and major activities of the agency. An agency’s records should reflect the evolution of agency policies and decisions, provide the information needed by successor officials to make intelligent decisions, and provide a lasting record of the unique contributions of the agency. Proper records must be kept to document the financial and legal commitments and interests of the government and of its citizens, and to permit oversight of an agency’s activities.
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently asked questions from the Office of Public Records and Archives
Learn about our New Archives Facility
Have comments to share or want to learn about our new DC Archives Facility? Check here.
Policies
Policies related to donating materials to the Office of Public Records and Archives.

Upcoming Events

A Look Back at “Showmobiles” and the “Summer in the Parks” Program
A Virtual Conversation with Dr. Felicianne Garland-Jackson discusses the DC Department of Parks and Recreation role and its use of “Showmobiles” to promote the arts throughout Washington, DC.