Anyone may use the Archives and its services. You don't have to be an Israeli citizen or resident for that purpose. The right to view the records and the limitations and restrictions on that right are defined in the Archives Law.

The reading room has lists of files, according to which you can order archival material. The lists of files of the State of Israel are in Hebrew only. The lists of files of the Mandatory Government of Palestine are generally in English. The lists of files for Arabic material are in Hebrew.

We recommend people who cannot read Hebrew to use the services of a research assistant to find the material needed.

Most of the lists of files are accessible in the computerized database, which is at present in Hebrew only. This database is accessible to the public via terminals in the reading room and through this website. In addition, you will find a selection of publications on the shelves of the reading room. Among these are the Documents on the Foreign Policy of Israel series in Hebrew and English and the commemorative volumes on Israel's late presidents and prime ministers in Hebrew. The files you requested will be delivered to the reading room and will be waiting there for you. There are also microfilm reading machines in the reading room.

Routine files are made available to the public after 30 years. Stenographic records of Government meetings – after 40 years. Defence/security related archival material is disclosed to the public after 50 years. Material defined as sensitive on grounds of the individual's right to privacy is disclosed after 70 years. If you wish to read records that are slated to be routinely opened according to regulations, but which the Archives personnel have not yet declassified, you will have to wait until those files are examined to ensure that they do not contain any sensitive material. Therefore if you are interested in material which may be sensitive, it is advisable to pre-order the files so that the staff may examine them prior to your visit. The Archives staff will examine every file before handing it over for the perusal of any member of the public.

You can contact the Research and Public Services Department by email research@archives.gov.il, or by fax 02-5680670. However, the best way to make the most of searching the Archives collections is to come to the reading room and use the assistance of the professional staff in locating the desired material.

Following instructions is extremely important in the case of archival material, since this material has unique characteristics  which makes reading it intrinsically different from reading books or periodicals. Books or periodicals are printed and exist in many copies in many libraries. If one is damaged or stolen it can be replaced.

Archival material, on the other hand, is by nature original, unique and irreplaceable. When you are using an archival record it is usually the one and only copy. Usually, also, it is an old item that has already suffered from the wear and tear of many years' handling.

Complying with the rules and regulations below is therefore a prerequisite for access to the Archives' collections. These procedures define how to handle the original records from the moment you have received them for perusal, and the rules of conduct in the reading room. The reading room is equipped with CCTV cameras which assist the staff in ensuring that readers are handling the material entrusted to them with the proper care.

Rules and Regulations:

• You must fill in a form and provide your personal details on your first visit or upon your first application to the Archives.
  
  
•  Readers must sign the attendance book at the entrance to the reading room on every visit.
  
  
• Bags and briefcases of every type must be deposited in lockers next to the security guard at the entrance. You will be given a key to your locker by the security guard.
  
  
• Cellular phones must be either switched off or silenced.
  
   
• Food and drink may not be taken into the reading room. You may eat and drink in the lobby designated for that purpose. There are places to purchase food and drink nearby.
  
   
• Maintain quiet in the lobby and total silence in the reading room, other than when consulting with a research adviser.
  
  
•  Taking any archival material or records out of the reading room is strictly forbidden. The readers are responsible for the integrity of the material that has been entrusted to them until they return it to the adviser.
   
  
•  You may bring into the reading room a laptop computer, pencils, writing paper and a digital camera providing you do not use the flash. Private scanners may not be used.
  
  
•  A camera or other personal copying equipment may be used only after receiving approval from a research adviser.
  
  
•  When using the archival material, make sure to maintain its integrity and original order. Do not mark the original material. Do not change the order in the file and do not take out any pages without approval from the supervisor of the reading room.
  
  
•  Should you find any disorder or damage in a file, do not attempt to fix it yourself – bring it to the attention of the supervisor.
  
  
•  Do not sharpen pencils on the reading tables. Do not leaf through documents using a pen or pencil.
  
   
• When done, return the files to the reading room supervisor.
  
   
• If you wish to re-read a certain file, that file will be kept for you in a separate room. To do so, fill in a suitable application form. The reader may not fetch the material from that room on his own.
  
   
• Any  photocopied material, as well as your personal possessions, must be presented to the security guard upon leaving the Israel State Archives.
  
  
• Material ordered to the reading room will be kept there for the reader for two weeks from the date of its order or from the reader's last visit.
  
  
•  You may apply for an extension by writing to research@archives.gov.il or by sending a fax to 02-5680670. Archival material is not loaned out.
  
  
• Smoking is prohibited in all parts of the building.

Generally it is not necessary to pre-arrange your visit. Guidance and advice are provided during regular reading room hours. But if you wish to make your visit more efficient, and especially if you are in the country for a brief time or are arriving from far away, then we recommend that you let us know in advance. Those who are interested in audio-visual material should pre-arrange the visit by phone, 02-5680664, or fax, 02-5680670, or email, research@archives.gov.il.

You may copy archival material while adhering to copyright laws and the rules of fair usage.
Ordinary paper-based records can be photocopied in one of three ways:

a. With a digital camera, without using  flash.

b. Using the card-operated photocopying machine (make sure you have small change for purchasing a card).

c. Ordering photocopies to be made by the Archives professional staff.

You may not take any photos without permission
You must obtain approval from a research adviser for every file you wish to photocopy or photograph with your own equipment. You may not photocopy any Ottoman period material, legal files, or files in poor condition on your own. Before taking any pictures or making any photocopies, you must sign the relevant instructions page.

Photocopying by Archives staff:
To avail yourself of this service, fill in an appropriate application form and mark the pages to be photocopied, following the instructions of the staff.

The nature of the material to be photocopied, its physical condition, quantity, and the workload will determine whether the material will be photocopied that same day. Copies will usually be ready within a few days, and it is up to the user to decide whether he/she prefers to come back to the Archives or to have them delivered to him/her by mail.

Material kept on microfilm may be photographed by the user while reading. (Microfilm files can be scanned onto your personal computer.)

Material will not be photocopied or photographed if there is risk of damage to the original.
Copies that are officially marked as "true to the original" for legal purposes may be issued by special request.

All services in this area appear in detail in the Fees and Rates document. You may pay for these services in cash, or by cheque or credit card, upon receipt of service.

We undertake to provide you with an answer within 20 working days. Waiting time obviously depends on the nature of your request and the amount of mail/requests we receive. We appreciate your patience and understanding.

All the material you may receive through the services of the Research and Public Services Department and in the reading room is given to you for research purposes only. We are not entitled to approve the use of material for which the Israel State Archives does not hold the copyright.
To receive approval for publication, please write to research@archives.gov.il, or fax to 02-5680670