Get a letter to access Indian state or national archives

Use this service if you’re a British person and you need a letter to access Indian state or national archives.

It’s your responsibility to make sure you’re using the correct service and that the relevant authority will accept your document.

How to get a letter to access Indian state or national archives

  1. Apply online and pay £50 (non-refundable) for your document.
  2. You'll be notified when you need to pay and arrange for a courier to collect your document during office opening hours.

To apply online you’ll need the following:

  • your UK passport
  • letter from the college, university or institution about your research
  • credit or debit card to pay
Make sure you have all details and documents ready before you start your application. The application will time out if you’re inactive for 20 minutes. You can either scan your documents or take photos on your mobile phone.

It will take about 10 minutes to apply and pay for your document online.