Church History Library Common Questions

The Church History Library primarily collects records documenting the history of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Many of these records are valuable for researching ancestors who were members of the Church. For more information on what types of records can be useful in family history research, you may want to view our Family History research guide. If you are looking for vital or public records or for information on ancestors who were not members of the Church, you should visit the FamilySearch Library or connect with FamilySearch support.
You can find information about how to request digital copies of your patriarchal blessing by visiting our Patriarchal Blessings page. Please note that the Church History Library does not provide paper copies of patriarchal blessings.
The Church History Library does not generally have copies of ordinance certificates. These certificates are provided to the individual who received the ordinance, and they are not submitted to the library. To obtain a replacement copy, speak with your ward clerk.

If you are looking for a copy of your priesthood line of authority, then you should follow the instructions found at the Church’s online help center
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. Information and guidance on researching an incomplete line of authority can be found in the library’s Priesthood Line of Authority research guide.
When doing research at the library, you can bring the following:
  • Laptop
  • USB drive
  • Tablet
  • Cell phone
  • Camera
For more information on approved devices, see our Reading Room Policy and Guidelines for Copying and Obtaining Digitized Material.

Before coming to the library, you should also know how to log in to your Church account. If you do not have a Church account, you can create one for free by going to ChurchofJesusChrist.org. Click on Sign In at the top right corner of the page. You do not need to be a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints to create an account.
We do not circulate materials outside the library because the Church History Library is a special collections library and archive. You are welcome to visit and view items in the building or explore digital content in the Church History Catalog. To learn more about our policies, visit our Policies and Guidelines page.
Most library materials are kept in our secure stacks, and it takes about 15 minutes to retrieve these materials. Different formats, such as microfilm, can also take more time to view. You should keep this in mind as you plan your visit to ensure you have enough time to complete your research.

Take time to review the library policies, and keep in mind that our reading room closes 15 minutes before the rest of the library.

We encourage you to register before coming to the library and to do some research using our online Church History Catalog prior to your visit. Many items can be viewed online, and you can identify materials of interest before arriving so your time in the library can be used to view items rather than locating them. If you have difficulty finding materials, library staff members are happy to help you in person or online using our Ask Us
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 service.
Yes. We encourage you to search the online Church History Catalog prior to coming to the library. Many of our collections have been digitized and are available to view online from any location.
Some of our collections have access restrictions. We encourage you to check the Church History Catalog before coming to the library to make sure that the items you would like to view are open to research. To learn more about access restrictions, view our Access Policy.

We also have many collections of digital records that are not available for immediate viewing. To view this content, you will need to use Ask Us
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 to request access or request it through the catalog.

You can also use our Ask Us
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 service if you are unsure whether a collection is available to view.
Much of the research process does require using a computer and other technology. While library staff members are available to assist you, they also need to be available to help other researchers, so if you are not comfortable using a computer, we suggest bringing a friend or helper with you whenever possible. This will greatly reduce your wait time while at the library and will make your visit more efficient.
We offer exhibit presentations that are great for families. If you have a small group, feel free to walk in and explore the Foundations of Faith exhibit
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. If you have a large group or would like to schedule a special presentation, it is best to schedule in advance so that we can plan for your group.

Related

Salt Lake City, Utah, United States

Church History Library

Headquarters of the Global Church Archives
Getting Started

Accessing Our Records

The Church History Library collects, holds, and shares hundreds of thousands of historical records about The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and its members.

Policies and Guidelines

Prepare for your visit by understanding guidelines for using materials, handling rare items, and maintaining a reverent environment that helps to preserve these records.