Apply for access to the Stasi records for research or media purposes

If you work in research or the media, or if you represent a civic education institution, you can gain access to topic-relevant Stasi files.

You can view Stasi files at the Federal Archives – Stasi Records Archive, or Stasi Records Archive for short, for one or more days, and apply for the issuance of duplicates in the process, or apply for duplicates independently of viewing the files.

With access to the Stasi files, you can

• the activities of the State Security Service of the former German Democratic Republic (GDR),
• the mechanisms of rule of the former GDR or the former Soviet Occupation Zone (SBZ) or
• the National Socialist past

process and publish your results.

With your application, the Stasi Records Archive initiates subject-specific or personal research in its archives. Archive staff evaluate the research results and review the records for potentially sensitive personal information that they may contain. Only then will you receive access to theme-relevant information from the records of the State Security Service. 

You will receive access to the Stasi files in the form of

• the inspection of the file,
• the issuance of duplicates.

You must apply for access to the Stasi files for research or media purposes in writing or online at the Stasi Records Archive.

Note:
For the publication of your processing results, you are advised upon the release of documents that you

• not use the copies for any purposes other than the processing purpose stated in the application, or
• pass on to other places and, when publishing personal information, must not impair the overriding protectable interests of the named persons.

You must apply in writing to the Stasi Records Archive for access to the Stasi records for research or media purposes, or submit your application online via the federal government's website (Federal Portal):

• Download the application form from the website of the Stasi Records Archive or fill out the form online.
• Send the form together with all required documents by post to the Stasi Records Archive. For the online application: Upload all relevant documents.
• Upon receipt of your research or media application, it will be reviewed for completeness, admissibility, and applicable fees. If necessary, you will be asked to submit additional information or documents.
• If all statutory access requirements are met, a decision will be made, depending on your research topic, whether the processing will take place in Berlin or, if there is a regional connection, in another office of the Stasi Records Archive.
• If no information regarding your processing topic could be found during the research, you will receive a notification to that effect.
• If documents are available, they are requested from the archives. The archival material is evaluated with regard to the subject of your application, read, and access is prepared.
• The material is being prepared for you to inspect the files. The issuance of duplicates is also possible.
• You will generally receive an invitation to inspect the files with a proposed date by post, or the coordination takes place by e-mail.
• The duplicates will be sent to you by mail or can be collected in person by arrangement. Alternatively, they can be provided via an online platform upon request.

There is no deadline.

For applications from public authorities: none
for applications from non-public bodies:

• Fees:
  • Inspection for research purposes: 38.35 EUR
  • Inspection for media purposes: EUR 76.69
  • Issuance of duplicates for research purposes
    • sight unseen: EUR 10.23
    • after prior inspection: 5.11 EUR
• Issuance of duplicates for media purposes
  • without prior inspection: EUR 76.69
  • after prior inspection: 38.35 EUR
• Expenses:
  • Expenses for the issuance of duplicates of paper documents or microfilmed files: depending on the size and type of copy, EUR 0.10 to EUR 0.18
  • The provision of this data via the publication platform is free of out-of-pocket expenses.
  • Production and issuance of duplicates of other information media (for example, image and sound recordings, films, maps, plans): in full (even when provided via the issuance platform)

For details, please refer to the Special Fee Ordinance of the Federal Government Commissioner for Culture and the Media (Special Fee Ordinance BKM – BKMBGebV), including the schedule of fees and expenses, on the website of the Stasi Records Archive.

• Objection
• administrative lawsuit