At PRONI, we welcome all visitors free of charge to explore our ground floor space, view our exhibitions and enjoy our programme of talks and events. To access our Search Room, our Reading Room and to order documents, you must register as a visitor. Find out more about the quick registration process and accepted forms of identification below.
How to register
Upon your arrival to PRONI, you will be directed to our Reception Desk in the atrium. To register as a visitor, the staff at the desk will:
- Provide you with a registration form
- Check your photographic ID (essential)
- Ask you to read and sign the Code of Conduct for Registered PRONI Visitors
- Take a photograph for your PRONI Visitor Pass
- Direct you to activate you PRONI Visitor Pass by swiping the card against the sensor on the left-hand side of the desk
Accepted photographic ID
Acceptable forms of photographic ID for registration as a PRONI visitor are:
- Full passport
- Driving licence or provisional driving licence
- Electoral ID card
- Translink Senior Smartpass
- Translink 60+ Smartpass
- Translink War Disabled Smartpass
- Translink Blind Person’s Smartpass
For visitors between the ages of 14 and 17
A visitor who is between the ages of 14 and 17 and does not have any of the above forms of photographic ID can also register provided that:
- they present a copy of their birth certificate to associate with their visitor record
- they are accompanied by a legal guardian, who is either an active PRONI Visitor, or also registering
- the legal guardian assumes responsibility for document security and countersigns the registration form
- the visitor re-registers with photographic ID while visiting after their 18th birthday
This method of registration is not permitted for visitors who are 18 years old or over.
For visitors under 14 years old
Infants and children under the age of 14 cannot be registered as visitors themselves but may accompany a registered reader.
Please note that if you are a registered visitor bringing young children into research areas, you assume responsibility for the safe handling of original records issued to them as part of the Code of Conduct.
As with all visitors, no pre-packaged food or drink can be brought into the Search Room or Reading Room.
We also make have the following provisions for young children visiting PRONI:
- Carry cots and detachable car seats may be brought into the reading room (prams, buggies and pushchairs can be securely held at reception).
- High chairs available in the PRONI café.
- Baby changing facilities on the ground floor.
PRONI is a participant in the Breastfeeding Welcome Here scheme and breastfeeding is permitted in all public areas within the building.
Using your PRONI Visitor Pass
Your PRONI Visitor Pass is your unique electronic access card and you must bring it with you for every research visit. Your Visitor Pass will be valid for ten years from the date of registration.
The pass will enable you to:
- access the Search Room and Reading Room by swiping the card against the sensors on the right-hand side of both doors
- order original documents using the computers in the Search Room
- retrieve your documents at the Issue Desk in the Reading Room
Replacement visitor passes
If you have lost your PRONI Visitor Pass, you must request a replacement when you arrive for your next research visit at PRONI. The replacement pass carries a cost of £10.
Replacing your lost Visitor Pass is essential for research visits as you will not be able to access the Search Room or Reading room, even if you remember your Visitor Number.
We will replace your Visitor Pass free of charge if it is faulty.
For further information on all of PRONI's charged services, see our Service Costs page.