Preparation for research

We recommend that all potential users consult books, encyclopaedias and other published works. Getting acquainted with the secondary sources not only widens the knowledge about the subject of research and historical context, but is also a guideline towards historical sources, i.e. archival documents.

Archival records are arranged according to institutions which created the records through their activity. The order in which the records are arranged depends on the business structure and internal organization of the institution as well as on the arrangement of official and business documentation. That means that the records are not arranged in accordance with topics, so you probably will not find everything you need in one place.

Registration and ordering records

At first arrival to the Central Reading Room of the Croatian State Archives users should contact an employee in the Reference Service, and fill out the “Researcher Application” form for the use of archival records.

After signing in, users will obtain information about archival finding aids and archives’ fonds and collections which contain data relevant to their research topic as well as conditions of use and reproduction of records. At the beginning of research one should identify the archival units in which a certain kind of document can be found and then, with the help of the respective finding aid, find the document itself.

As a user you have to fill out a request form for archival records, which will be made available as soon as possible, at the latest on the following workday. If the requested archival records are kept in a repository outside Zagreb, they will be delivered within 5 working days.