Filming Policy
This policy covers filming or video recording, whether analog or digital, as well as still photography. All will be hereafter referred to as filming.
- A request for filming must be approved in advance. The Bureau requires an official written request describing each proposed project and production requirements prior to granting permission.
- Submit media requests for filming to the Department of State’s Communications Office.
- Filming may not interfere with normal operations or harm or damage records or other collection materials or property. The Bureau may limit the amount of time allowed for filming.
- We allow filming during our normal public business hours of 9:00 a.m. – 4:30 p.m., Monday – Friday, or during Bureau events open to the public.
State Archives
- Archives staff must directly supervise any filming.
- Filming must be for educational and historical purposes only. We permit filming only in public areas (including the public research room) and prohibit filming in the Archives processing areas and staff offices.
- We permit only still photography (no flash and no video) in gathering areas of the Archives Stacks where documents are put on display for visitors to view. You may not film or engage in photography of any kind in any other areas of the stacks.
- In order to maintain our visitors’ privacy, we prohibit the filming of Archives researchers/patrons.
State Records Center
- Records Center staff must directly supervise any filming.
- You may not film in the paper storage area, microfilm vault, electronic media vault and staff offices of the Records Center.
