Fields marked by an * are required to submit the form.
We will answer most questions in 2 to 30 working days, depending on the complexity of the question and our current workload.
Sources ConsultedIf you have done any preliminary research, please describe the sources and organizations that you have already consulted.
The answer to your question might be on our website.
Many of our records are indexed and/or digitized in databases in Ancestors Search.
Find out about other records by exploring these web pages:
The civil registration of births, marriages and deaths is a provincial and territorial responsibility. Please contact the relevant office.
If your question is about a particular ancestor or individual, complete the following section. Provide as many details as possible, even if the information is only approximate.
This online service allows you to order material in advance of your visit to Library and Archives Canada (LAC). You may order a maximum of ten items (e.g., books, boxes of archival documents, video-tapes, etc.) for each day you will be onsite.
Regular retrieval requests can take up to 5 business days to process.
More complex retrieval requests (e.g., legal restrictions, donor restrictions, preservation restrictions, etc.) can take up to 30 days to process. If your request falls into this category, we will contact you.
Please see our Service and Opening Hours to better plan your visit.
Users who wish to undertake research or to consult the holdings in Library and Archives Canada (LAC) facilities must obtain a user card. For more information please see the User Card Registration Form.
Need help with your references? We have some examples written for you!
"Archival – Special Collections" refers to materials found by searching our Archives Search or Film, Video and Sound databases that are listed as a format other than textual (e.g., art, philatelic, photographic, cartographic, film, etc.).
"Archival – Textual" refers to materials found by searching our Archives Search database that are listed as textual.
"Published" refers to items found by searching the Aurora catalogue. You can now request the retrieval of most published items yourself through Aurora, as described on the Request an item page. A few items cannot be ordered through Aurora, and must still be ordered via this form.
An acknowledgement of receipt will be emailed to you within 24 hours. Please be assured that your question will be processed as soon as our capacity permits.
Reopening Library and Archives Canada
If you are contacting us to donate money, publications or archival materials, please consult our Make a donation section.