Public Record Office of Northern Ireland
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Frequently asked questions

PRONI signpost Balmoral Avenue sign New record office proposed design

General information:

Preparing for your visit/online research:

Visiting PRONI:

Making an enquiry - general or research related:

Copying documents:

Comments and complaints:

General information:

1.    Can anyone use PRONI?

Yes.  Anyone can use PRONI provided you register as a visitor.  To register, you must be over fourteen years of age.  Children under fourteen must be accompanied by an adult.

2.    What type of records does PRONI hold?

PRONI holds public records created by central and local government and various public organisations.  We also hold archives created by private individuals and organisations.

3.    Can I get civil birth, death or marriage certificates at PRONI?

No.  These are held at the General Register Office of Northern Ireland (GRONI) Opens a new browser window..  PRONI holds only birth indexes from 1864 -1922  on microfilm.

4.    What are your opening hours?

PRONI is open 9.00am - 4.45pm Mon - Wed and Fri and 10.00am - 8.45pm Thurs.  See opening hours for additional details of public holidays and closures.

5.    Do I have to make an appointment?

It is not necessary to make an appointment but you may contact PRONI to do so if you wish.

6.    Can I borrow the documents in PRONI?

No, the documents held in PRONI are for consultation only.

7.    Do you charge for using the archives?

There is no charge to visitors carrying out their own personal research – only copying charges if you want copies of any documents. A fee-paying search service is available if you want to obtain a specific piece of information but are unable to carry out research yourself.  See are there any fees and charges.

8.    Where is PRONI and how do I get to there?

PRONI is currently based in the suburbs of Belfast, Northern Ireland (although we plan to move closer to the city centre in the future as part of our new headquarters project).  PRONI is easily accessible by car or public transport.  See getting here.

9.    I'm a wheelchair user. Will I be able to use PRONI?

Yes.  For access to the main building and the canteen, ramps are provided.  All public research facilities are on the ground floor and have automatic opening doors.  There are also two disabled car parking spaces next to the front door.  See disabled access.

10. Can I trace my family tree at PRONI?

Yes - providing your family came from or lived in the North of Ireland (present day Northern Ireland and the three border counties of Cavan, Donegal and Monaghan in the Republic of Ireland); and that you do have some information to start with – particularly where the family came from.  PRONI has some records relating to other parts of the island of Ireland but they are limited.  For further advice, see Family History: Getting Started.

11. Where can I stay locally and what else can I do in the area?

The Northern Ireland Tourist Board Opens a new browser window. or the Belfast Welcome and Convention Centre Opens a new browser window. will be pleased to give you details about available accommodation and how to book, as well as information about ‘what’s on’ during your stay (see also other things to do in the area).

12. Are there other places where I can carry out research?

Yes, both within Northern Ireland and elsewhere.  For example, the local studies departments of the public library service in Northern Ireland Opens a new browser window., the National Archives of Ireland in Dublin Opens a new browser window. and the Irish Genealogy Centres Opens a new browser window. in Northern Ireland.  See useful links and where else can I research my family history.

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Preparing for your visit/online research:

13. What do I need to bring/what can I do to prepare for my visit?

See what do I need to bring – for example you will need photographic identification to register as a visitor.  Depending on your reason for visiting, you should also consult the relevant parts of our website (for example the family history section) for information on how to begin your research and how you can prepare in advance.

14. Can I access original documents over the internet?

Some archives have been digitised and can be accessed on the PRONI website (see search the archives), however you will have to visit PRONI to see the vast majority of the archives held.

15. Can I consult the PRONI catalogues on the internet?

Not at present, but PRONI’s electronic catalogue project is currently working towards making the catalogues available and fully searchable on our website.

16. Can I  check the availability of documents before visiting PRONI?

For a number of reasons, not all the records PRONI holds are available to the public – for example if they are too fragile or damaged to handle.  For now, you have to either contact PRONI or visit PRONI to find out if a document will be available for consultation.  However, as part of the electronic catalogue project, it will be possible to check the availability of a document through our website in the future.

17. Can I order documents in advance?

It is not possible at present, however it will be considered once the catalogues go online as part of the electronic catalogue project.

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Visiting PRONI:

18. Will someone help me if I visit PRONI?

Yes.  A member of staff will greet and advise you on your first visit.  You will be advised on what archives to consult, shown how to use the catalogues, guides and indexes and how to order documents.  Help Desk staff are always available to assist you with your enquiries.

19. Can PRONI staff do research for me?

Staff are not permitted to do the actual research on your behalf when you visit PRONI, but they will give you help and assistance.  A fee-paying search service is available, but only where you want to obtain a specific piece of information and you are able to provide us with sufficient information to carry out a search.  If you can't visit the office and you want a comprehensive genealogical report, you could consider using an independent commercial researcher who will undertake genealogical and other detailed research on your behalf for a fee.

20. Can I bring a laptop and do you provide WiFi access?

Yes.  You can use laptops freely in the search room, however, they can only be used at specified points in the reading room and on battery power only in the self-service microfilm room (on health and safety grounds as power sockets are not readily accessible).
PRONI provides a free Wireless Internet (WiFi) service for use by PRONI visitors wanting to use their own laptops. The service is provided “as is” and is free of charge.  Prior to access being made available, visitors must read and sign the terms and conditions form (15KB) Adobe PDF formatted document Opens a new browser window..  The service uses WiFi Protected Access (WPA); security and access is through issue of a password from the Search Room Help Desk.  This password is changed daily and a new terms and conditions form (15KB) Adobe PDF formatted document Opens a new browser window. will be required for each day on which access is required.  PRONI reserves the right to withdraw WiFi access from any user if terms and conditions are not complied with.

21. How long will I have to wait to see documents I have ordered?

We aim to produce 93% of documents within 30 minutes but in practise documents are generally produced within 15 minutes.  Occasionally it may take longer than 30 minutes to produce the documents you have ordered, for example on very busy days or if we have an unforseen shortage of staff, at which times your patience is much appreciated.  See standards of service.

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Making an enquiry - general or research related:

22. What is the best way to make an enquiry to PRONI?

Generally, the telephone is only useful for brief enquiries - for example, a question about our services or opening hours – however we try to make most general information available on our website.
If your enquiry is research related, we recommend that you either visit PRONI in person, contact PRONI via letter or e-mail or complete a PRONI enquiry form online.  We can then consider your query thoroughly and give you the fullest possible response.

23. How do I make a Freedom of Information or search service request?

To make a Freedom of Information or search service request, you must contact PRONI in writing via post, e-mail, or fax or complete a PRONI enquiry form (which gives details on the minimum information required to conduct a search) online.

24. How soon can I expect a reply to my written or email enquiry?

We aim to respond to postal or e-mail enquiries within 10-14 days.  Freedom of Information enquiries must be responded to within 20 working days - requests are answered strictly in date order.  In practice, however, you may find that our response is quicker than these timescales

25. Is there a charge for answering queries?

We will answer most short and straightforward enquiries free of charge.  We don’t normally charge for providing information on sources, for example, if you are asking whether or not we hold particular records.  However, if you want staff to carry out a search in the archives, for example, to locate a specific census return or the record of a baptism , you will be advised that there will be a search service fee before we proceed.

26. Will you advise on archives for academic research?

PRONI staff are happy to advise on the identification and availability of particular sources, but we cannot undertake any form of academic research. See education and academics.

27. Will the same person be dealing with all my research enquiries?

The member of staff who answers your letter/email will sign the reply and you can generally expect them to handle your current query until completion.  You may write to him/her if you want the same person to help you again. Unless someone is ill or on holiday, all letters addressed personally will be passed to that person for attention, although other members of staff may contact you where specialist expertise is required.  If you contact us again with a completely new request, your enquiry may go to another member of staff.

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Copying documents:

28. Can I get a copy of a document in PRONI?

PRONI does provide a photocopying, microfilm and digital copying service, however, on some occasions it may not be possible to provide a copy on preservation or copyright grounds.  See copying and copyright.

29. Can I use my digital camera to copy documents?

No.  We have no immediate plans to introduce this facility as there are both preservation and copyright issues to consider.  See copying and copyright.

30. Can you copy PRONI reference number D623 and send it to me please?

You wouldn't thank us if we did! D623 is the main archive reference number for the papers of the Duke of Abercorn.  The catalogue runs to over twelve volumes, while the original records contain approximately half a million documents.
Most of our collections are divided into sub-sections, which are in turn subdivided again.  You need to know the unique reference number which relates to the particular document if you want to order a document or request a copy.  See catalogues and ordering a document.

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Comments and complaints:

31. How do I make a comment or suggestion to PRONI?

PRONI welcomes all feedback from our customers – both positive comments and constructive criticism.  You can submit a feedback form online.

32. What can I do if I 'm not satisfied with the service I have received?

PRONI aims to maintain high standard of service.  However, if you think that we have missed something important, misunderstood your query, provided irrelevant information or you have not received the service you expected, then please let us know and we will try to put things right.  If you are still unhappy, you may use the formal complaints procedure.  There are also specific complaints procedures relating to Freedom of Information requests.

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