Reservations and Tours

Reservations and Tours

Entry to the National Archives museum is free. Reservations are not required for individuals or groups wishing to visit the National Archives Museum, but they are strongly suggested between March and Labor Day to avoid potentially long lines outside.

  • Tickets are normally available 90 days in advance.
  • All visitors will go through security screening upon entry.
  • Persons arriving after their scheduled ticket time are not guaranteed admission to the museum.
  • There is a non-refundable $1.00 convenience fee per ticket.

Timed-Entry Reservations

Self-guided, timed-entry reservations are normally offered every 15 minutes from 10:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. daily.

  • You may reserve up to 6 tickets per reservation. For larger groups, you may make more than one reservation for the same time and date, subject to ticket availability.
  • Timed-Entry reservation holders use the Museum's general admission entrance on the left side of the great staircase on Constitution Avenue, NW.

Reserve Timed-Entry Tickets

Guided Tours (Not available at this time)

Once a day, Monday through Friday, at 9:45 a.m. we offer a one-hour docent-led guided tour of the National Archives Museum. The tour includes the Rotunda for the Charters of Freedom (home to the Declaration of Independence, U.S. Constitution, and Bill of Rights) and the Public Vaults permanent, interactive exhibit gallery.

  • Individuals and groups may reserve up to 15 spaces for the Guided Tour.
  • Guided Tour reservation holders use the Special Events entrance on the right side of the great staircase on Constitution Avenue, NW.

Reservations can also be made through the Call Center: 1-877-444-6777, Group Sales Reservations: 1-877-559-6777, or TDD: 1-877-833-6777.