Commercial reproductions from the collections of the Smithsonian Institution Archives can be obtained by following the instructions below. The fee schedule associated with each collection is for reproductions only. Fees can be paid by credit card.An individual payment link for credit card payment will be sent after order processing.
- Images and Photographs
- Audiovisual Collections
- Oral and Video Histories
- Non-Archives Collections
- Proper Citations and Credit
Images and Photographs
Complete a rights & reproduction request form, providing as much information as possible (image numbers, credit lines, citations, website the image was found, etc.). If also requesting commercial permissions for images or photographs, please complete a permissions application for review.
| Format | Delivery Method | Fee for Regular Delivery Time | Fee for Rush Delivery- 5 days |
Undigitized image | TIFF/JPG | Dropbox | $7.50 | $50.00 |
Existing digital image | TIFF- best existing* | Dropbox | $7.50 | $50.00 |
Document | Dropbox, Email | $0.20/page (10 pages or more) | no rush services | |
Document | Photocopy | U.S. Mail | $0.20/page (10 pages or more) | no rush services |
Patrons may also download images directly from the Smithsonian Institution Archives website for personal and educational use for no fee. This will generate a high resolution JPG file.
Audiovisual Collections
Complete an online reference inquiry to request reproductions of audiovisual collections. In addition to the inquiry, complete the required supplemental form for audiovisual materials.
| Format | Delivery Method | Fee for Regular Delivery Time | Fee for Rush Delivery- 5 days |
Undigitized audio (DAT, cassette) | WAV, MP3 | Dropbox, CD/DVD (U.S. Mail) | $20.00/item | no rush services |
Undigitized audio (other formats) | WAV, MP3 | Dropbox, CD/DVD (U.S. Mail) | $200/30 mins of material* | no rush services |
Existing digital audio | WAV- best existing, MP3 | Dropbox, CD/DVD (U.S. Mail) | $20.00/item | no rush services |
*SIA must work with outside vendors, actual prices and timeframes are determined by vendor.
Copies of audiovisual material and microfilm may be necessary to complete your request. When this is the case, reproduction services will be contracted with a commercial vendor or laboratory selected by the Archives. The researcher must bear the cost of this service, including generation of copy masters if needed. All copies of Archives material remain the property of the Archives.
Oral and Video Histories
Complete an online reference inquiry to request reproductions of oral and video histories. In addition to the inquiry, complete the required supplemental form for oral and video histories.
| Format | Delivery Method | Fee for Regular Delivery Time | Fee for Rush Delivery- 5 days |
Existing digital video file | MPEG, WMV, MOV | Dropbox, CD/DVD (U.S. Mail) | $20.00/item | no rush services |
Existing digital video file | JPEG2000 | Dropbox, Hard Drive (supplied by patron) | $20.00/item | no rush services |
Moving image | JPEG2000, MPEG, WMV, MOV | Dropbox, CD/DVD (US Mail) | $25.00 handling fee + * | no rush services |
VHS, 3/4" Umatic, Betacam SP | MPEG, WMV, MOV | Dropbox, CD/DVD (U.S. Mail) | $20.00/item | no rush services |
VHS, 3/4" Umatic, Betacam SP | JPEG2000 | Dropbox, Hard Drive (supplied by patron) | $20.00/item | no rush services |
1” SMPTE, 2" Quad, DVCPro | JPEG2000, MPEG, WMV, MOV | Dropbox, CD/DVD (U.S. Mail) | $25.00 handling fee + * | no rush services |
*SIA must work with outside vendors, actual prices and timeframes are determined by vendor.
Non-Archives Collections
Unsure if the material is part of the Smithsonian Institution Archives?
If you are interested in obtaining an image from another Smithsonian unit, first consult the Smithsonian Collections Search Center, which can help determine where an image resides. Once the ownership of the image is established, consult the Smithsonian’s Rights, Restrictions, and Security Contacts to determine who to contact regarding Rights and Reproductions.
Proper Citations and Credit
The Archives requires proper credit, and reproduction permissions are contingent upon an agreement to supply appropriate credit lines. Of special concern for the Archives is facilitating the identification or retrieval of the Archives’ collection items that are reproduced, since publication/broadcast may create further demand for reproduction. Simply using "Smithsonian Institution" as a credit line is inadequate for this purpose—“Smithsonian Institution Archives” must be credited. Also, the Smithsonian Institution Archives Record Unit, Accession Number, or Image ID should always be used in credit lines. Finally, in cases where collection items are reproduced online, the Archives requests a link back to its website (http://siarchives.si.edu) if possible.
Please use the following credit line:
Smithsonian Institution Archives, Image #.
OR
Smithsonian Institution Archives
Record Unit/Accession # and/or Collection Title
Negative # or Film/Audio/Video Title
Proper credit and citation should also be used when referencing copies of photographic collection material owned by other Smithsonian units but acquired through the Archives. Proper credit lines will be provided on completed, countersigned permissions forms that will be emailed to you upon the completion of an image permission request. Consult with the owning curatorial unit for their citation requirements.