German Reich: National Socialism (1933-1945)
Access may be gained in the Federal Archives to the national archives of central civilian and military bodies of the so-called Third Reich and to the records of the NSDAP, its structures and affiliated associations. It is supplemented by
- Pictures and posters
- Films and documents on film history
- Maps
- Personal papers of historically important individuals
- Current records of other parties, unions and associations
- Collections
- Official printed matter.
The archives are incomplete, primarily due to the impact of war. Some record groups are located in foreign archives.
You will find further information on the reference pages Official printed archives, Pictures and posters, Film, Maps, plans and technical drawings, Military bodies and associations, Personal papers, Personal Archives/Genealogy and Collections.
Special groups
- Records from the former BDC
- Documentation on the persecution of Jews
- "Euthanasia" in the Third Reich
- NS archives of the Ministry for State Security
- Investigation of National Socialist Crimes
Research options
- ARGUS (Archival Search Engine)
- Central database for personal papers
- Picture database
- Remembrance book - Victims of the persecution of Jews under the Nazi dictatorship in Germany 1933-1945
- Portal for Forced Labour in the National Socialist State
- Inventory of sources on the history of euthanasia crimes between 1939-1945
- Inventories and other finding aids
Advices for reference
The regulations governing the use of the reference service are contained in the Federal Archives Act (BArchG), the Federal Archives access regulations, the Federal Archives cost regulations and the reading room regulations of the Federal Archives. Please note that specific legal and contractual provisions may apply in the case of access to personal records and archives of private origin with copyright implications.
Reference locations
Several places provide a reference service for the Federal Archives:
Berlin-Lichterfelde
- Records from central civilian bodies of the Third Reich
- Organisations of the NSDAP, its structures and affiliated associations
- Pictures and posters
- Maps
- Personal papers
- Records of parties, unions and associations
- Personal collections
- Contemporary historical collections
- Official printed archives
- Library holdings
Berlin-Wilmersdorf
- Films and documents on film history
Koblenz
- Pictures and posters
- Maps
- Personal papers
- Contemporary historical collections
Freiburg
- Reich armed forces/armed forces (Reich army/army, Reich navy/navy, air force)
- Waffen SS
- Armed forces legal documents
- Pictures and posters of military origin
- Maps, plans and technical drawings of military origin
- Personal papers from members of the military
- Military history collections
- Official printed archives
- Library holdings.