The majority of the archive material originate from government records. These are supplemented by private archives and collections, which include, among others, personal estates, family archives, association archives, photographs, films, plans, and maps. Depending on the topic, it may be necessary to consult additional archives.

Documents of The Princely Collections of Liechtenstein are not located in the National Archives. They can be found in Vienna https://www.liechtensteincollections.at/

The National Archives are open to the public and to anyone with a legitimate interest. This includes academic and private research as well as genealogical research.

Depending on their age, archival records may still be subject to restriction periods. In principle, files have a retention period of 30 years. In the case of  material, the retention period is extended to 10 years after the death or 100 years after the birth of the persons concerned. However, it is possible to apply for a reduction of these restriction periods (please be aware that requests only have a chance to be approved if the inquirer can state scientific interest in the sealed documents): 

Request to Access Restricted Records

Furthermore, official secrecy, personal privacy protection as well as copyright may limit the use of archival materials. Conservation reasons like the protection of fragile documents may also restrict the use of archival materials. In such cases, the state archive provides reproductions in the form of microfilms or digital copies. 

Only a fraction of the archive material is available digitally. Primarily, this includes collected items such as audiovisual media, plans or maps. These collections are among the most frequently requested. For this reason and in the interest of preservation, they were digitized first. Digitized copies can be viewed in our reading room. 

No registration is required. You are welcome to visit us anytime during our opening hours:

Information about our opening hours can be found on the homepage of the State Archives:

Main page Landesarchiv

For extensive record requests, we recommend registering in advance so that the archives can be prepared for your visit. 

When visiting the archive, you will be asked to fill out a customer card with your personal details. You are welcome to fill out this document in advance and bring a printed copy with you on your visit, or send it to us in advance by email. 

Customer Card

All archival materials are unique and therefore require careful handling. In the reading room, pencils, book supports, lead weights and other aids are available to handle archival materials with care. In the interest of preservation, microfilms may be provided instead of the original documents in some cases. When reviewing files, the original order of the documents should be maintained to preserve their context of creation. Treating our archival documents with care will ensure that they are preserved for as long as possible and can be viewed by many others.

Photographs and copies are not allowed. Exceptionally, archival materials may be copied with the consent of our team.

The use of the archive material is limited to the reading room. Records can only be borrowed by public administration offices or for exhibition purposes.

No. Media available for borrowing can be found, for example, at the Liechtenstein National Library.

Source Citation Requirements

Please adhere to the following guidelines when publishing archival materials from the National Archives:

1. Source Citations in General

Title (may be shortened), Date

Archival signature

Source: National Archives of Liechtenstein, Vaduz

Example:

Einbürgerung des Barons Carl von Vogelsang in Schellenberg, 1869-1870

V 004/1869/01

Source: National Archives of Liechtenstein, Vaduz

2. Citation of Audiovisual Material

Title (may be shortened), Date, Location (if available)

Archive Signature

Source: National Archives of Liechtenstein, Vaduz

Photographer: First Name Last Name, City

Example: 

Töchterinstitut Gutenberg, ca. 1900, Balzers (postcard)

B 11Ba.3/001/001

Source: National Archives of Liechtenstein, Vaduz

Photographer: Walter Ospelt, Vaduz

The archives of the House of Liechtenstein are part of the Princely Collections Art Service GmbH & Co OG and are located in Vienna. The Princely Collections houses the records of the princely family.

The archive is one of the best-preserved archives of the nobility in the German-speaking world and, along with the National Archives, the most important archive for the history of Liechtenstein.

The holdings of the Princely Collections were divided between Vienna and Vaduz in 1945. Records relating to the central and local administration are primarily kept in Vienna. At the Vaduz Castle are archival records relating to family history, as well as the majority of the manuscripts.

In 2007, Prince Hans-Adam II arranged for the transfer of all records dating up to the end of 1954 from Vaduz Castle to Vienna. The more recent documents are kept at the Vaduz Castle.

Address

LIECHTENSTEIN - The Princely Collections
Princely Collections Art Service GmbH & Co OG
Fürstengasse 1
A-1090 Vienna
Austria

Archive and Library

Dr. Arthur Stögmann
Tel. +43 1319 139 18 08
E-mail a.stoegmann@liechtensteincollections.at
www.liechtensteincollections.at
www.palaisliechtenstein.com

At the Women's Archives Liechtenstein you will find various sources on the history of women in Liechtenstein.  

Because of the historical development of the Principality of Liechtenstein, important historical sources are located abroad. These can be found among others in the following archives:

An extensive Terminology of Archival Science is offered by the Archivschule Marburg. The Multilingual Archival Terminology of the International Council on Archives is also helpful.

Using the National Archives is free of charge. However, special services such as copies or reproductions are subject to fees.