The Durham County Record Office is located on the Lower Ground Floor of County Hall in Durham City, the headquarters of
Durham County Council. We have a variety of
useful facilities for people who are planning a visit.
To gain access to the Record Office you should enter County Hall by the public entrance and inform the County Hall Help Desk staff that you are visiting the County Record Office. You will be issued with a visitor pass at the Help Desk and shown the way to the Record Office.
Travel information is available if you need to know where to find us.
As you come in to the Record Office you should sign the Visitors' Book, stating your name, address, purpose of research and locker number. By signing the register you agree to obey the rules and regulations of the Office. A member of staff will give advice on the records likely to be of use to you and will also explain how the Search Room is arranged.
What to Bring With You
Please place all your personal possessions in one of the lockers provided. Only loose sheets of paper and pencils are allowed into the Search Room. Notepads, plastic wallets and folders are not allowed in the Search Room. You will need:
- A Pencil
Pens are not allowed because of the risk of damage to documents. Pencils can be bought in the Search Room (price 40 pence).
- Loose Paper
For security reasons you can bring only loose papers into the Search Room. Ring binders, folders, notepads are not permitted. There are lockers available in which to store personal belongings.
- Small Change
The Office has a self-service microfilm reader-printer. Each copy costs 50 pence and it is advisable to bring a large amount of small change with you. The reader-printer takes all coins, except 1 pence pieces.
- Background Information for your Research
As we do not allow any ring binders or notepads in the Search Room, it is advisable to organise your information into an appropriate format before you visit the Office.
Please ensure that you have read our full list of
Search Room Rules before you come along.
