Entry to the National Archives is free.

Adults and children walking into the National Archives

Tickets are not required for individuals or groups to enter the National Archives through the General Public Entrance. 

Advance Tickets

From March to Labor Day there may be long lines to enter the National Archives. To avoid these lines, you can make a reservation through recreation.gov for timed-entry.

  • Tickets are normally available 90 days in advance. Same-day reservations are subject to availability.
  • Timed-entry begins at 10:15 a.m. and ends at 4:30 p.m. to afford our visitors enough time to experience the Rotunda before the exhibit closes promptly at 5:30 p.m.
  • Recreation.gov is a third-party ticket service. There is a non-refundable $1.00 convenience fee per ticket. Changes are allowed on a ticket order at no additional charge.
  • Persons arriving after their scheduled ticket time are not guaranteed admission.