Report Missing Records and Artifacts

Help the National Archives Recover Lost and Stolen Documents

Missing items on this website may not include all items missing from the National Archives and Records Administration (NARA) holdings.

If you have questions or concerns, please contact the Missing Records and Artifacts Program.

The National Archives and Records Administration (NARA) Archival Recovery Program (ARP):

Missing Eli Whitney Cotton Gin patent drawing.

Searches for missing holdings.
Works with individuals or entities contacting NARA about possible missing holdings.
Helps determine if items belong in NARA’s holdings.

We need your help to ensure that United States government documents (federal, congressional, and presidential records) that have been lost or stolen are returned safely and securely to the National Archives, where they will be preserved, described, and made available to all citizens and scholars.

At times U.S. government documents, which record our shared national experience, are removed from our buildings. When such records are stolen, our shared history is lost and our ability to maintain accountability in our government is lessened. Removing government documents is illegal theft, prosecutable by law. The consequences for perpetrators of such theft can be significant.

Missing items on this website may not include all items missing from the National Archives and Records Administration (NARA) holdings. If you have questions or concerns please contact the Archival Recovery Program.

What can you do?

If you are a document collector, dealer, or a staff member at another archives, library, or museum, you can:

It is imperative to refrain from engaging in any transactions involving historical U.S. government documents that have been misplaced or unlawfully obtained.
Such behavior is not only illegal but also detrimental to preserving the nation's history.
If you happen to come across any lost or stolen documents, it is crucial to report them to the National Archives, as they play a vital role in safeguarding and archiving these valuable artifacts for future generations.

Why report lost documents?

At the National Archives, we understand the importance of preserving our nation's history and ensuring that the records of our government remain in the hands of American citizens.
Our team of staff experts is here to assist you in verifying the authenticity of historical documents and determining whether they belong to the United States.
By keeping these records in the hands of American citizens, we can continue to ensure that our nation's history is preserved and accessible to all.

What happens if you help the National Archives by reporting missing U.S. government documents?

National Archives staff members will follow through to determine if the document in question is a lost or stolen historical U.S. government document.
If it is found to be so, National Archives staff will request the return of the document.
Contact the National Archives to report a lost or stolen historical U.S. government document.
You may be contacted for additional information and will receive a thank you from the National Archives for your assistance.

Recovered Items

Notable Thefts from the National Archives

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