Access to archives

You will need a County Archive Research Network (CARN) ticket, available at many record offices throughout the country, to use any of Cumbria County Council's Archive Centres and have access to the archives within them.

Tickets can be issued on your first visit to one of our Archive Centres and are available free of charge.  Once issued, tickets are valid for 4 years.

In order to obtain a CARN reader ticket you will need to complete a simple application form and produce official proof  of your name, home address and signature when you arrive.

Documents that could contain the details required include (you may have to bring a combination of two to show name, home address and signature):

  • Driving Licence   
  • Pension or Benefit book                     
  • Building Society Pass book
  • Passport                                   
  • Bank statement                            
  • NHS medical card
  • Bank or Credit card                       
  • Utility bill                                     
  • AA/RAC membership card

On arrival in the Archive Centre ALL bags, briefcases, folders, files, document wallets and similar containers should be placed in the lockers provided.  Coats and outdoor jackets also need to be left outside the search room on the coat hooks provided.

Loose papers, notebooks and pencils may be taken into the search room. Pens, Food, sweets, Drinks may not. These security measures will help to prevent losses from collections and safeguard irreplaceable material for the use of future generations of historians and researchers. 


Cumbria County CouncilDirect.Gov
Allerdale Borough Council logoEden District Council logo

Contact us

 01228 817000

Carlisle City Council
Civic Centre, Carlisle, Cumbria,
CA3 8QG