Copying services for documents and images

The London Archives offers a wide range of document and image copying services in a variety of formats including high resolution digital scans.

Many of the images and documents at The London Archives have already been digitised (scanned to produce a high-quality digital copy).

Digital copies of many images in our collection can be downloaded, purchased and licensed from our images and maps website the London Picture Archive

Our Catalogue also provides access to digital copies of documents in our collections, particularly those which are very well known such as Magna Carta. Please check our catalogue to see which documents in our collection have already been digitised.

If there is no digital copy of the document or image that you want to use in your research, you can request that the item is copied. The type of copying process used depends on your requirements as well as our preservation guidelines. For this reason, very few records are considered suitable for photocopying and digital scans are normally offered.

Although digital scanning is the most common form of copying we use, some items in the archive aren’t suitable for scanning. If this is the case with the document or image you need, a member of the team will discuss other options with you.

Once created the digital copy can either be sent to you in a digital format or a high-quality print can be made.

All scan requests are subject to The London Archives Copying Policy to make sure that the physical condition and the copyright status of the item both allow a copy to be made.

Ordering a digital copy in person at The London Archives

If you just need a lower-quality copy for your own research, taking your own photograph of the item might be a suitable solution. Please see our Self-Service Photography guide for more information.

If you require a higher-quality copy, please request a document copying form at the research desk. You will need to know:

• Your History Card number
• The catalogue reference of the item

Please note that when we take your order, we will review the physical condition of the document, to ensure that it is fit to be copied and to assess any special measures that we may need to take during the process of making a copy.

How long will it take?

If you order a digital scan or print while you are on-site at The London Archives, your order will be processed within seven working days. This does not include delivery time for printed items.

Ordering a digital copy remotely

All remote requests incur a non-refundable assessment and preparation fee of £20 per document. This pays for the staff-time to find the original document, reviewing it to verify that it has the information you are looking for, to ensure that it is fit to be copied and to assess any special measures that we may need to take during the process of making a copy. Requests from multiple documents are charged at a minimum of £40 because of the work we need to do to satisfy the order.

If copies can be made, the price you pay for them will depend on the type and number of copies you want and we will advise of all costs before your order proceeds.

How to place an order

Please contact us if you'd like to request a copy.

Once we know which item you'd like to have copied, we will ask you to pay the £20 assessment and preparation fee. Once your payment is received we will typically:

• Have the item retrieved from our repositories
• Assess what form of copying is most suitable
• Create a copying cost estimate and discuss this with you

How long will it take?

If you order a digital scan or print through our online form or in a telephone call, your order will be processed within 12 working days. This does not include delivery time for printed items.

How much will it cost?

The cost of a digital copy or a printed item will depend on the requested digital format or print quality, and the condition of the item.

Scanned orders may be kept on the system for up to two weeks (from the date of dispatch). If there is a problem with an order, where a file needs to be reproduced, there a further charge may be incurred.