# National Archives Citizen Archivist

The National Archives' virtual volunteer program: register a free account and transcribe, tag, and comment on digitized federal records in the National Archives Catalog through curated topical missions.

## Key facts

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Organization | National Archives and Records Administration |
| Category | volunteer |
| Cost | Free |
| Deadline | Rolling / check official site |
| Eligibility | Grades 6–12 |
| Format | Online / virtual |
| Location | Various |
| Apply | https://www.archives.gov/citizen-archivist/register-and-get-started |

## About this program

# National Archives Citizen Archivist

Citizen Archivist is the National Archives and Records Administration's crowdsourcing program for improving access to the permanent records of the United States government. Volunteers contribute directly to the National Archives Catalog from home: they transcribe handwritten and typed documents, add keyword tags to records and photographs, and share knowledge in comments. The Archives states the goal plainly: 'With your help, we can make the records of the National Archives more searchable and discoverable.'

## What You'll Do

- Register a free user account for the National Archives Catalog via Login.gov
- Transcribe digitized documents - 'type what you see and follow the order and layout as best you can'
- Add tags ('keywords, terms, and labels') to records and photos so others can find them
- Work through curated topical missions that point you at records matching your interests, from military history to civil rights

## Who Should Apply

Anyone interested in history and primary sources; no age minimum is published, and the how-to videos and missions make it easy for students to start. It suits students who want flexible, self-paced service hours tied to a federal institution.

## Outcomes

Citizen Archivists build real archival and paleography skills while making measurable contributions to public access - every transcription and tag goes live in the National Archives Catalog. Participation is free, year-round, and entirely virtual, and sustained contributions are visible in your account history.

## Frequently asked questions

### How much does National Archives Citizen Archivist cost?

National Archives Citizen Archivist is completely free — there is no participation fee. Costs like travel or optional materials may still apply; check the official site for details.

### Who is eligible for National Archives Citizen Archivist?

National Archives Citizen Archivist is open to students in grades 6–12 (middle and high school). Some programs have additional requirements (GPA, coursework, essays, or recommendations) — the full criteria are on the official site.

### Is National Archives Citizen Archivist online or in person?

National Archives Citizen Archivist is fully online — students can participate from anywhere with an internet connection.

### How do I apply to National Archives Citizen Archivist?

Apply directly through National Archives and Records Administration's official website. ExtracurricularHub links to the official application — we list and verify programs but don't process applications.

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Last updated: 2026-07-28.
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