Research and copy services

All copying is subject to the Data Protection Act and copyright legislation. We will not photocopy or scan any document if doing so might cause damage to it.

If you visit us, you may, at the archivist’s discretion, photograph the item with the purchase of a camera licence.

If you are unable to visit the Record Office, feel free to send us an enquiry using the general enquiry form below or sending an email to the records office.

If we consider that your enquiry may take more than 15 minutes to answer, we may recommend that you visit the Record Office or take advantage of our Paid Research service 

Photocopies and scans requested remotely incur an additional handling fee. Copying requests taking more than 15 minutes to complete will be subject to a charge based on our hourly rate. If you require copies by post, get a quote first by contacting us or submitting a general enquiry.

• black and white A4 photocopy - 30p
• black and white A3 photocopy - 50p
• images from microfilm - 30p
• colour A4 photocopy - £1.00
• colour A3 photocopy - £1.50

It is advisable to book the microfilm printer in advance.

Scanning requests which take more than 15 minutes to complete will be subject to charge based on hourly rate.

• Scan per image and email (postage if needed charged at cost with handling fee) - £1.00
• Handling charge for postage - minimum charge plus postage at cost - £6.00
• search room camera licence (24 hours) – £5.00
• search room camera licence (six months) – £25.00
• search room camera licence (12 months) – £40.00

• full microfilm search - £35.00 per hour
• short microfilm search per film - £7.00 

Free searches

A range of free searches are available. These are

• information for sources
• your own baptism record
• check a single address in a single electoral register (1920 to 2007), (you will need to know the street name for this search)
• check single rate book by volume (you will need to know the address for this search)
• check up to ten years for a baptism, marriage, or burial in the card index (covering the period between 1538 and 1900). For baptisms, the names of any siblings within the same period will also be supplied 
• check our baptism index for the years 1900 to 1920 (you will need to know the names of any siblings within the same period for this search)
• check a single original baptism register after 1920 (you will need to know the year and name of parish for this search)
• check a single original marriage register after 1910  (you will need to know the year and name of parish for this search)
• check our burial index for the years 1900 to 2000. (you will need to know the year you require for this search)

To submit a request for a free search email the record office or submit a general enquiry form.

If your enquiry is likely to take more than 15 minutes to complete, we may recommend our Paid Research service.

Payment is required in advance and reflects our search efforts rather than the final outcome. Refunds cannot be offered for unsuccessful searches. However, we are committed to delivering a detailed service. We will explain the results (even if unsuccessful) and point you toward other potential services that may help you find an answer.

Photocopies required are charged separately.

• Research undertaken by our Heritage Service for one hour - £35.00
• Research undertaken by our Heritage Service for half-hour - £18.00

Commercial reproduction rates

Requests for images that publicise and promote the Heritage Service may not incur a charge.

Local community and voluntary groups per item - £35.00

National commercial publication per item - £120.00

Payment for our services is by sterling cheque, payable to Isle of Wight Council by post or by credit card over the phone.

If you wish to pay by credit card, ensure we have your postal details before you call to process the payment. Do not include your credit card details in any written communication.