Structure and contact information
Lithuanian Central State Archives (LCVA)
Structure and contact information
Mailing address: O. Milašiaus. 21, LT-10102, Vilnius, Lithuania
Telephone: +370 5 247 7830
E-mail: [email protected]
Working hours:
I–IV 8.00–17.00
V 8.00–15.45
Reading room opening hours:
The reading room for the written documents (address O. Milašiaus 21, [email protected]):
I–IV 8.00–16.45
V 8.00–15.45
The reading room for the photodocuments (address O. Milašiaus 19, [email protected]):
I–IV 8.00–16.45
V 8.00–15.45
The reading room for the video and audio documents (address O. Milašiaus 19, [email protected]):
I–IV 8.00–16.45
V 8.00–15.45
The reading room for the film documents (address O. Milašiaus 19, [email protected]):
I–IV 8.00–16.45
V 8.00–15.45
Archives preserves written document records of the institutions of the Republic of Lithuania dating 1918–1940, records of institutions in the Klaipėda Region, records of institutions operating in Southeast Lithuania under Polish occupation dating 1919–1939, records of the period of Nazi occupation dating 1941–1944 and records of the periods of Soviet occupation dating 1940–1941 and 1944–1990.
Archives also preserves video and audio document records of photodocuments dating from the 19th century 6th–7th decades to the present day, records of audio documents dating from the 20th to 21st centuries, records of video documents and records of film documents dating from the 20th century 2nd decade to the present day.
Documents preserved in the Archives comprise several large sets:
Written documents:
● Documents of the Republic of Lithuania's institutions (1918–1940): personal funds of the Lithuanian State Council, Cabinet of Ministers, Presidential Chancellery, ministries and departments, diplomatic missions abroad, institutions of county governors, municipalities, scientific, cultural, educational institutions, public organizations, public figures, and diplomats.
● Documents of the institutions of the Klaipėda Region: funds of the presidents of the Karaliaučius and Gumbinė districts, Klaipėda Magistrate, Šilutė County Administration, Klaipėda Region Cadastre Institution, and other funds.
● Documents of institutions operating in Southeast Lithuania under Polish occupation in 1919–1939: funds of civilian administration institutions in Eastern Territories, Temporary Administration Commission of Central Lithuania, Vilnius Magistrate, Stefan Batory University, organizations, and school funds.
● Documents from the period of Nazi occupation (1941–1944): funds of the General Commissioner in Kaunas, district commissioners, administrations, police institutions, municipalities, county governors, prisons, and funds of the Vilnius Jewish ghetto.
● Documents from the periods of Soviet occupation (1940–1941 and 1944–1990): funds of the Presidium of the Supreme Council of the Lithuanian SSR, Council of Ministers, ministries, administrations, committees, editorial offices, organizations, and personal funds of scientific and cultural figures.
Photo documents:
● Photodocuments (from the 19th century to the present day): photographs, negatives, glass plates, albums, vignettes, slides, digital photos. Among the old photographs are works by A. Štrausas, J. Čechavičius, S. Fleris, V. Zatorskis. Preserved photodocuments include works by K. Smečechauskas, J. Karazija, J. Miežlaiškis, B. Buračas, A. Varnas, A. Mickus, V. Janiselis. The Soviet period is reflected in the photo materials of the Lithuanian Telegraph Agency ELTA and newspaper editorial offices. Over 100,000 photodocuments of the Lithuanian Monuments Restoration and Design Institute are preserved, as well as extensive documentary photography collections by J. Juknevičius, V. Kapočius, A. Žižiūnas, P. Lileikis, A. Petrulevičius, V. Gulevičius and contemporary documentary photography is also being accumulated.
Audio documents:
● Sound recordings from the 20th and 21st centuries are preserved on various media: records, magnetic tapes, cassettes, and compact discs. Among the oldest recordings are pieces by the Riga Lithuanian Men's Quartet, recorded in Riga in 1907. Unique recordings of broadcasts from the Kaunas Radio Station have also been preserved, featuring the voices of Lithuanian presidents A. Smetona and K. Grinius, as well as speeches from other prominent figures. Among the more significant recordings is Leonas Prapuolenis reading the Lithuanian Declaration of Independence on June 23, 1941.
The process of restoring Lithuanian independence and the history of the newly restored Lithuania are reflected in sound recordings from the Lithuanian Reform Movement (Sąjūdis), as well as recordings of scientists, artists, politicians, former exiles, and members of the diaspora.
The archive also contains recordings from Lithuanian radio stations abroad, such as "Voice of America," "Margutis," and other stations in Chicago, Los Angeles, Baltimore (USA), Adelaide, and Melbourne (Australia).
Recordings accumulated during the Soviet period capture speeches by political figures, lectures, organizational congresses, and the celebrations of national holidays. Special attention is given to the recordings from the Vilnius Record Studio.
Video documents:
● The archive holds video documents dating back to the 1980s. These recordings capture key moments of the Lithuanian Reform Movement (Sąjūdis), the Baltic Way demonstration, the events of January 1991, and the activities of Lithuanians abroad. Footage filmed by archive operators since 1989 shows significant political, historical, and cultural events in Lithuania, as well as interviews with members of governments and ambassadors.
The archive also preserves videotapes donated by the "National Fund," which contain the memories of former exiles, political prisoners, and partisans. The creation of video documents in the archive continues to this day, capturing new historical events and personal testimonies.
Film documents:
● Films from the 20th century’s second decade to the present day. The oldest preserved Lithuanian film is from 1919 and depict Lithuanian communities’ life in Chicago. The collection includes valuable Lithuanian cinema chronicles from 1919 to 1940, as well as works by the first Lithuanian cinematographers such as K. Lukšys, J. Miliauskas, the Motuzas brothers, S. Vainalavičius, S. Uzdonas, J. Miežlaiškis. There are numerous films from the period of World War II. The largest part of the film document collection consists of documentary films created in the Lithuanian Film Studio and Lithuanian Television from 1946 to 1990. The huge collections of Lithuanian feature films Lithuanian amateur films and foreign Lithuanian films are preserved. The collections are continuously supplemented with the latest film works.
Requests by individuals and legal entities for documents confirming certain legal facts may be submitted by the person or their representative by directly visiting the reception of the Lithuanian Central State Archive or sent by mail to the address: O. Milašiaus g. 21, LT-10102 Vilnius, or by email to [email protected].
The request must be written legibly, indicating the person's first and last name or the name of the entity, along with an email address, mailing address, or other contact details through which the person wishes to receive a response.
Private information is provided to the individual upon presenting identity documents. If private information is requested about another person, documents confirming representation or kinship must be submitted.
Document search services provided by the State Archives are paid. The prices of the services are determined in the price list, approved by order of the Minister of Culture of the Republic of Lithuania. Payment for services can be made by bank transfer, in the archive - by payment card, in individual cases - by cash.
Archive’s bank account:
AB ,,Swedbank“
LT097300010002457195
A signed request and payment receipt must be sent to the archive or submitted directly.
Application forms:
● Request for issuance of documents confirming employment history (up to 1940). (WORD/PDF)
● Request to issue documents confirming the fact of living in Lithuania and the composition of the family. (WORD/PDF)
● Request for documents confirming the fact of deportation for forced labor to Germany. (WORD/PDF)
● An application for proof of citizenship. (WORD/PDF)
● Request for documents confirming the fact of the family relocation from Suwałki County, Poland to Lithuanian territory in 1941. (WORD/PDF)
● An application for a proof on owned realty. (WORD/PDF)
● Request for documents. (WORD/PDF)
● Request to produce (certify) copies of documents. (WORD/PDF)