FAQ
About the National Archives
You may visit the National Archives Department in person to conduct your research. Our staff will provide guidance to you and will make the records available on a first come, first serve basis.
Mauritian users are requested to present their National Identity Card and International users should bring along their passport.
Online records are accessible to registered users only. You may also have recourse to our research services by sending an official request on our e-mail address: arc@govmu.org
The National Archives Department is the custodian of historical records which cover almost 300 years.
Please see our section on Holdings
Some 500,000 manuscript pages have already been digitised and indexed. About 200,000 of these images and indexes will be available online for research purpose.
The National Archives Department is open to the public on weekdays from 9.30 a.m.to 3.00 p.m. and on Saturdays as from 9.30 a.m. to 11.30 a.m.
The National Archives Department is closed on Sundays and public holidays.
Preservation and Conservation
No. The National Archives Department only provides advice on the preservation of records
No. Rare books, manuscripts, periodicals and references are only available for in-house use.
Research
The National Archives Department holds of a rich corpus of records of significant interest. These records consist of about 150,000 volumes in manuscript or printed formats.
The National Archives Department safeguards the collective documentary heritage of the nation. Users can find substantial amount of information in the following fields:
- French and British Administration.
- Slavery
- Indentured Immigration.
- Genealogy
- Legislation
A sum of Rs.30 is paid per person per day for inspection of documents.
- The user should provide approximate information such as names and dates relevant to the search being carried out.
- Research is carried out on the spot by the user under the guidance of the staff of the National Archives Department.
- To trace-out your ancestry; please bring along all birth, marriage, or death certificates (available at the Civil Status Office) you may have at your disposition so that we can assist you further in your research.
The National Archives holds records of notarial deeds which date as far back as 1724.
Pursuant to the Notary’s Act 7 of 2008, a member of the public can only consult a notarial document if he/she is a party of the said deed, a heir or a personal representative.
The searcher must provide evidence of affiliation (Birth Certificates or Affidavit) with the person(s) mentioned in the original notarial or land concession deed, if photocopies are required.
The use of mobile phones is strictly prohibited in our search rooms. Permission must be sought from the Director before taking photographs of any document.
Yes. Mauritian citizens will be charged a fee of Rs. 50 per hour or a fraction thereof and Non-Mauritian citizens a fee of Rs. 100 per hour or a fraction thereof, for connecting laptop and other devices to in-house power supply.
Search made by any officer of the National Archives Department at the request of
- Mauritian citizen: Rs. 100 per hour or a fraction thereof
- Non Mauritian citizen: Rs. 300 per hour a fraction thereof