Public Records Office (PRO)

The Public Records Office (PRO) of Hong Kong was established in 1972 as the designated government archives. It was incorporated into the then Government Records Service Division in 1989 as part of a records management strategy incorporating the full continuum of active records management to archival retention. We are committed to appraising and acquiring records and material of enduring value to the people of Hong Kong, and making them available for the broadest possible use. We offer professional advice to government agencies and share with the community the best practices in archival administration.

Complementing the archival holdings is the Central Preservation Library which contains selected government publications, reports, printed material, monographs and newspapers on Hong Kong as part of our work to preserve local documentary heritage.

We are open from 9:00 a.m. to 5:45 p.m. Monday to Friday, excluding public holidays. Users may remain to continue their viewing of our records and library material during the lunch hour from 1:00 p.m. to 2:00 p.m.

1. Archival and Library Holdings
2. Functions and Services
3. Resource Gallery
4. Online Exhibitions
   • Living History in Print
   • Display Wan Chai (1841 - 1997)
   • Government Posters
   • Tracing The Development Of Yau Ma Tei Through Archives
5. Contact us

Functions and Services

Appraisal and Description:

We examine government records and material with due care to ensure that those with historical value will be transferred and preserved in our special repositories. General International Standard Archival Description (ISAD(G)) issued by the International Council on Archives is adopted for preparing descriptions, inventories and finding aids. This allows users to trace the needed information easily via our fully automated Integrated Information Access System.

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Reference and Research:

The holdings of PRO are preserved not only for the use by scholars and researchers but also for the general public. We welcome visitors to our Search Rooms to consult our records and other material. Access to archival records is subject to the Public Records (Access) Rules (PDF Format) and Search Room Rules (PDF Format). Users may apply for a User's Ticket on-site. Charged copying and certification services and charged digital copying service (PDF Format) are available. We also conduct simple research for overseas inquirers.

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Public Programs:

To promote understanding and use of local documentary heritage, we organize regularly exhibitions, seminars, workshops, group visits and other educational activities. Many of these activities are free of charge and are announced in What's New and Events and Activities on this Website.

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