Reference Requests

The BC Archives provides the following services:

  • Access to records held at the BC Archives
  • Reproductions of records
  • Assistance using our online and onsite resources
  • Direction to collections and resources available at the BC Archives

Find out more about the following:

Due to the high volume of inquiries we receive and for legal reasons, the BC Archives cannot

  • Conduct research on behalf of clients
  • Respond to inquiries that do not relate to British Columbia
  • Answer questions about living persons or adoptions
  • Provide access to active government records

Written Requests

The following requests must be sent by email, letter or fax:

  • Copying and licensing orders (see our Reproductions page for details)
  • Requests for 10 or more individual boxes/files
  • FOI and restricted record requests (see Request FOI or Restricted Records)
  • Detailed questions about our collections, catalogues and finding aids

Please include in your request:

  • Your full name
  • Your telephone number
  • Your address (email or mailing)

All written inquiries to the BC Archives will receive an initial response within 20 business days of the day they are received. If your request is urgent or required for legal purposes, please let us know. We will do our best to accommodate time-sensitive requests of this nature where possible.

See Contact Us

Phone Requests

The following requests can be made by phone:

  • General questions about our collections, catalogues and finding aids
  • How to use our website
  • Questions about policies and procedures
  • Status of requests
  • Requests for less than 10 individual boxes/files
  • Requests for locker service

All telephone inquiries to the BC Archives will receive an initial response within 3 business days of the day they are received.

See Contact us

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