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Updated to 10 October 2025 (Act No. 10 of 2025 and S.I. No. 474 of 2025)

All effects below are reflected in the most recent Revised Act.

National Archives Act 1986
No. 11 of 1986

Contents

Commencement

Section Commencement/Effective Date
Where the commencement and effective dates differ, the effective date is shown below.
 Commencement Information
Ss. 1-4 1 June 1988 National Archives Act 1986 (Commencement) Order 1988 (S.I. No. 228 of 1988), art. 2
S. 5 24 April 1989 National Archives Act 1986 (Commencement) Order 1989 (S.I. No. 116 of 1989), art. 2
Ss. 6-26 1 June 1988 National Archives Act 1986 (Commencement) Order 1988 (S.I. No. 228 of 1988), art. 2

Amendments and other effects

How AffectedAffecting Provision
Functions transferred and references construed (in part) S.I. No. 302 of 2002, arts. 1(2), 4(1) & schedule
  S. I. No. 21 of 1993, sch.
S. 1 amended 12/2018, ss. 2, 7(2)
S. 2(2), applic. extended. 20/2023, ss.1(2), 107
  23/2011, s. 47
  23/2004, s. 41
S. 2(2), applic. restricted. 18/2022, ss. 1(2), 107
  15/2009, ss. 2, 45(6)
  17/2006, ss. 1(3), 12(6)
  13/2002, ss. 13, 28(3)
  7/2000, ss. 2, 27(5)
S. 2A inserted 12/2018, ss. 3, 7(2)
S. 4 National Archives designated a public authority for certain purposes 34/2024, ss. 1(3), 161(4)
S. 4 National Archives designated a State Authority for certain purposes 30/2000, s. 179A(5), as inserted by 47/2022, ss. 1(4), 14
S. 4 National Archives designated a relevant public body for certain purposes 26/2021. ss. 1(2), 5(2)(b)
S. 4 National Archives designated an eligible institution for certain purposes 44/2001. ss. 1(2), 2(1)
S. 4 National Archives designated a public body for certain purposes 32/2003, ss. 1(2), 2(1) and sch. 1
  13/1997, ss. 1(2), 2(1) and sch. 1 para. 1(2)
S. 4 additional function of Director 30/2014, ss. 1(4), 8(11)(b)
  44/2001, ss. 1(2), 9(2)
  37/2001, ss. 7, 80(4)
  13/1997, ss. 1(2), 15(5)
  11/1997, ss. 1(4), 47(1), 67
  11/1996, ss. 1(2), 92(3)
  8/1994, ss. 1(9), 65(3)
S. 4 certain functions of Minister may be delegated to Director 11/1997, ss. 1(4), 51(1)(a)(iii)
S. 4(1)(fa) inserted 37/2024, ss. 1(3), 12
S. 5 functions transferred and references construed S.I. No. 81 of 1987, art. 4
S. 6(1), (2) functions transferred and references construed S.I. No. 81 of 1987, art. 4
S. 6(3) am. 33/2004, ss. 3, 4, 61(1), 63, sch. 2, pt. 1
S. 7 application clarified 7/2000, s. 7(6)
S. 8(1) amended 12/2018, ss. 4(a), 7(2)
S. 8(1A) inserted 12/2018, ss. 4(b), 7(2)
S. 8(1B) inserted 12/2018, ss. 4(c), 7(2)
S. 8(1C) inserted 12/2018, ss. 4(d), 7(2)
S. 8(2) amended 12/2018, ss. 4(e), 7(2)
S. 8(2), (4) classes of records prescribed S.I. No. 281 of 1997, arts. 2(a), (b), schs. 1, 2
S. 8(3) amended 12/2018, ss. 4(f), 7(2)
S. 8(4) amended 12/2018, ss. 4(g), 7(2)
S. 8(5) amended 12/2018, ss. 4(h), 7(2)
S. 8(6) amended 12/2018, ss. 4(i), 7(2)
S. 8(7) amended 12/2018, ss. 4(j), 7(2)
S. 8(8) amended 12/2018, ss. 4(k), 7(2)
S. 8(11) records deemed prescribed under 23/2011, s. 47
  23/2004, ss. 3, 41, 43
S. 10(1)(a) amended 12/2018, ss. 5(a), 7(2)
S. 10(5) amended 12/2018, ss. 5(b), 7(2)
S. 10(6) deleted 12/2018, ss. 5(c), 7(2)
S. 11 amended 12/2018, ss. 6, 7(2)
S. 13, cesser of (in part) 37/2001, ss. 7, 80(5)
  11/1996, ss. 1(2)(a), 92(5)
  8/1994, ss. 1(9), 65(5)
S. 13(2) rep. 8/1994, ss. 1(9), 4(1), (3), sch. 1, pt. 1
S. 19 (2), (3) functions transferred and references construed S.I. No. 418 of 2011, arts. 1(2), 3 & sch. 1
S. 19 (3) functions transferred and references construed S.I. No. 81 of 1987, art. 4 and sch.
S. 20(2) functions transferred and references construed S.I. No. 81 of 1987, art. 4 and sch.
Sch. am. 35/2024, ss. 1(2), 36
  25/2024, ss. 1(2), 23
  1/2024, ss. 1(2), 270
  31/2023, ss. 1(2), 45
  S.I. No. 216 of 2023, art. 2
  14/2022, ss. 1(2), 71
  S.I. No. 359 of 2022, art. 2
  19/2007, ss. 1(2), 40(1) and sch. 3, pt. 1
  33/2004, ss. 3, 4, 61(1), 63, sch. 2, pt. 1
Sch. constr. refs. 1/1992, s. 6(5), as inserted by 19/2019, ss. 1(6), 42(b)
  59/2015, ss. 1(2), 33
  42/2015, ss. 1(4), 76(3)
  16/2015, ss. 1(2), 40(8)
  16/2015, ss. 1(2), 66(2), (3)
  29/2014, ss. 1(5), 8, 39(2)
  25/2013, ss. 1(2), 38(1)(c)
  6/2009, ss 1(2), 82(1)
  14/2008, ss. 1(2), 71(1), 71(3)
  3/2004, ss. 1(2), 7(9)
  43/2001, s. 31(2)
  25/1992, ss, 2(1), 3(1), 4, 11(1), 14(3)
  15/1987, s.18(4)
Sch. listings of National Prices Commission, Motor Insurance Advisory Board rendered obsolete by repeal of Prices Act 1958 19/2007, ss. 1(2), 4(1) and sch. 2
Sch. listings of Judicial commissioner of Law Commission and Appeal Tribunal of Land Commission rendered obsolete by dissolution of Land Commission 25/1992, ss. 3(1), 14(3)
Sch. listings of Restrictive Practice Commission, Office of the Examiner of Restrictive Practices rendered obsolete by repeal of 11/1972, ss. 2, 13 24/1991. ss. 2, 22
Sch. listing of The Water Pollution Advisory Council rendered obsolete by repeal of 1/1977, s. 2 21/1990, s. 30

SIs made under the Act

SectionSIs made under the Act
S. 1(2)(d) National Archives Act 1986 (Section 1(2)(d)) Order 2023 (S.I. No. 216 of 2023)
  National Archives Act 1986 (Section 1(2)(d)) Order 2022 (S.I. No. 359 of 2022)
S. 8(1A) National Archives Act 1986 (Section 8(1A)) (Transfer of Departmental Records) (No. 4) Order 2024 (S.I. No. 709 of 2024)
  National Archives Act 1986 (Section 8(1A)) (Transfer of Departmental Records) (No. 3) Order 2024 (S.I. No. 704 of 2024)
  National Archives Act 1986 (Section 8(1A)) (Transfer of Departmental Records) (No. 2) Order 2024 (S.I. No. 703 of 2024)
  National Archives Act 1986 (Section 8(1A)) (Transfer of Departmental Records) Order 2024 (S.I. No. 702 of 2024)
  National Archives Act 1986 (Section 8(1A)) (Transfer of Departmental Records) (No. 4) Order 2023 (S.I. No. 610 of 2023)
  National Archives Act 1986 (Section 8(1A)) (Transfer of Departmental Records) (No. 3) Order 2023 (S.I. No. 609 of 2023)
  National Archives Act 1986 (Section 8(1A)) (Transfer of Departmental Records) (No. 2) Order 2023 (S.I. No. 608 of 2023)
  National Archives Act 1986 (Section 8(1A)) (Transfer of Departmental Records) Order 2023 (S.I. No. 607 of 2023)
  National Archives Act 1986 (Section 8(1A)) (Transfer of Departmental Records) (No. 4) Order 2022 (S.I. No. 663 of 2022)
  National Archives Act 1986 (Section 8(1A)) (Transfer of Departmental Records) (No. 3) Order 2022 (S.I. No. 662 of 2022)
  National Archives Act 1986 (Section 8(1A)) (Transfer of Departmental Records) (No. 2) Order 2022 (S.I. No. 661 of 2022)
  National Archives Act 1986 (Section 8(1A)) (Transfer of Departmental Records) Order 2022 (S.I. No. 660 of 2022)
  National Archives Act 1986 (Section 8(1A)) (Transfer of Departmental Records) (No. 4) Order 2021 (S.I. No. 722 of 2021)
  National Archives Act 1986 (Section 8(1A)) (Transfer of Departmental Records) (No. 3) Order 2021 (S.I. No. 680 of 2021)
  National Archives Act 1986 (Section 8(1A)) (Transfer of Departmental Records) (No. 2) Order 2021 (S.I. No. 679 of 2021)
  National Archives Act 1986 (Section 8(1A)) (Transfer of Departmental Records) Order 2021 (S.I. No. 678 of 2021)
S. 8(11) National Archives Act, 1986 (Prescription of Classes of Records)(Amendment) Order 2005 (S.I. No. 343 of 2005)
  National Archives Act, 1986 (Prescription of Classes of Records) Order 1997 (S.I. No. 281 of 1997)
S. 19 National Archives Act, 1986 Regulations 1988 (S.I. No. 385 of 1988)
  National Archives Act, 1986 (Authentication of Documents) Regulations 1988 (S.I. No. 227 of 1988)
S. 19(2) National Archives (Fees) Regulations 2012 (S.I. No. 503 of 2012)
  National Archives (Fees) Regulations 1988 (S.I. No. 226 of 1988)