Not all records are immediately available for research use. Access rules balance the need of privacy for individuals, particularly refugees, and the operational needs of the organization, with the interest of researchers in this rich legacy of documents. All files must be reviewed by Archives staff before external research to identify any information related to individual cases addressed by UNHCR because such personal information is not available under the access policy.

At UNHCR Headquarters there is currently no permanent research room established for the study of archival materials. Researchers should contact Archives for additional information about the scope and content of the fonds or to request an appointment to conduct research on a specific topic on site. Copies of a limited number of records are provided for a fee that covers the costs of reproduction. For further information, write UNHCR Archives, 94 rue de Montbrillant, CH-1202 Geneva, Switzerland, or e-mail UNHCR Archives.