Records selection and transfer process

These pages provide guidance on the selection and transfer of records. Bodies transferring records to The National Archives or to places of deposit under the Public Records Act 1958 should follow this process.

This process applies to records in all formats and media, including paper and digital records.

You can check whether your organisation needs to transfer records either to The National Archives or to a place of deposit by reading Public records bodies: Determination and change of status (PDF, 0.22Mb), our guidance on how to identify a public records body. Alternatively contact us for more information.

• 1. Appraising your records

  How to assess which records meet the Records collection policy of The National Archives.

• 2. Selecting your records

  How to choose which records should be transferred to The National Archives or to a place of deposit.

• 3. Sensitivity reviews on selected records

  How to decide what can be open on transfer, what must be closed and what needs to be retained in departments.

• 4. Cataloguing and preparation of records

  Guidance on cataloguing and the preparation of records for transfer to The National Archives or a place of deposit.

• 5. Planning and arranging delivery of records

  How to arrange transport of records to The National Archives or to a place of deposit - also called 'uplift'.

• 6. How we accession your records

  What The National Archives does to make your records available.