We are accepting new deposits by appointment only. Please contact us or fill in our deposit request form and we'll get in touch with you to arrange an appointment.
How archives come to us
Acceptance in Lieu scheme
Archive collections of national importance can be transferred into public ownership to help cover tax debts. More information can be found on the Acceptance in Lieu scheme.
Donation or bequest
Ownership passes to us. We prefer gifts because of the long-term resource implications of deposits.
Indefinite loan
We may decide to accept records on indefinite loan. Depositors enter into an agreement with us about the management, use, retention and preservation of these archives. We do not normally accept deposits on a temporary basis.
The depositor will have to keep us informed of any changes of address or inheritance issues so that we can contact them or their heirs to make decisions about the archive.
Depositors may also have to contribute towards the costs of cataloguing or conserving the archives and refund our costs if the records are withdrawn. Our deposit agreement listing our terms and conditions is attached to this page.
Purchase
On rare occasions, we'll purchase archive documents. We have no allocated budget for purchasing documents, so purchase is always a last resort.
Transfer
Where records are those of a public body, including schools.
Arranging a deposit
We have specific guidance for certain types of deposit:
- business archives
- Derbyshire County Council archives
- diocesan and parish archives
- Methodist Church archives
- school archives
If you cannot see any guidance that is relevant to you, please fill in our deposit request form. Please do not bring in any material without contacting us first, as we may not be able to help you on that day.
Complete a deposit request form