Inquiries and Information

Archives staff will respond to the following inquiries by telephone (250-387-1952)

• general questions about our collections, catalogues, finding aids and how to search  our website
• questions about our policies and procedures
• questions about the status of orders, and the access status and location of a limited number of records (up to 10)
• requests for specific offsite records (up to 10 items)
• requests for records use during partial-service hours (locker service)

The following inquiries or requests should be submitted in writing

• detailed questions about our collections, catalogues and finding aids
• requests for the access status and location of more than 10 record units
• requests for more than 10 offsite records containers
• requests for copies of specific archival records
• requests for certified copies of documents required for court/legal purposes
• requests made under the Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act.

Written inquiries and requests can be sent by

Mail: BC Archives, 675 Belleville Street, Victoria BC, V8W 9W2, CANADA

Fax: 250-387-2072

Email: access@bcarchives.bc.ca. Email inquiries will receive an auto reply confirming that the inquiry has been successfully sent. If confirmation is not received call 250-387-1952. Do not send credit card information by email. Staff will contact you for the necessary details.

Note that while Archives staff will conduct limited research they are unable to conduct general or in-depth research or extract information from records for individual clients. If a visit to the Archives is not possible, we suggest that you consider hiring a private researcher. We also encourage you, before contacting us, to look at the information about our Collections and at our Research Guides as well as any local resources available to you that might assist you in your research.

When sending your inquiry, please include your full name, mailing address, telephone number and email address if you have one. See our price list for reproduction costs. Please allow up to twenty (20) working days for a response.

For technical inquiries contact: archives.webmaster@royalbcmuseum.bc.ca.