This page contains information on how you can get copies of documents we hold. This can be either during your visit to the searchroom or by email or post.
Getting Copies During Your Visit
You can copy some documents whilst visiting the Archives. Please ask a member of staff if it is possible to photocopy a document. Download our Scale of Charges (263KB PDF). Please note that some documents may be too fragile for photocopying.
You can use your camera in the searchroom free of charge. We do ask that you turn off the flash. We have a camera stand that you can use.
When making copies we ask you to sign a declaration to state that the images are for your own personal use. Find out more about re-using images in publications, websites and artwork.
Please note that some items cannot be copied without the permission of the depositor. If this is the case we will let you know during your visit.
Ordering Copies
We appreciate that many people may not be able to visit the Archives in person to view documents. We therefore offer a copying service - see our Scale of Charges for details.
Once you have identified the record that you want copied, please email us with its reference and a description of the portion that you want copied. We will then assess whether the document can be copied and send you a quotation and a copyright declaration stating that the images are for your own personal use. Find out more about re-using images in publications, websites and artwork.
Once you return the signed form, we will instruct the Council’s Finance team to raise an invoice for the order. You will receive a separate invoice via email or in the post. This will have instructions on how to pay the fee. Once the invoice has been paid we will make the copies and send them to you.
Outsize Documents
Some documents such, such as architects drawings and ship plans, are too large to copy using standard equipment. These are copied outside of the Archives and therefore will take a bit longer to process. There is a separate charges scale for these items. We will let you know if this is the case when you request copies.