Reader Pass

To get your free Reader Pass please visit Reader Registration in St Pancras, London, or Boston Spa, Yorkshire. You will need to bring ID (see list below). We will issue you with a Reader Pass, these are valid for three years.

Once you have your free Reader Pass, you can use our Reading Rooms for personal study, access items on the shelves and request collection items to consult in the Reading Rooms.

If you would like to consult collection material on the same day that you register, you will need access to your email account on a personal device to verify your account in the catalogue. You cannot access your email on British Library PCs.

Anyone over the age of 18 who wants to access our collection or Reading Rooms, and can visit the Library in person, can apply for a Reader Pass. Our users include academic researchers, undergraduate and postgraduate students and members of the public. Researching family history is an example of a very popular activity.

Under-18 Readers
At the moment we’re unable to issue Reader Passes to under 18s. If you’re under 18 you might find your school or local library is better equipped to serve your needs.

Whether you are renewing, replacing or getting a new pass, please bring:

• a state-issued photo ID, printed with your photo, name and address (examples of ID that include all of these include driving licence or national ID card) or
• two separate documents, one showing your name and one showing your home address.

Types of documents we can accept if you are bringing two separate documents include

• State-issued documents e.g. passport
• Bills and financial documents
• NHS documentation e.g. NHS appointment letters and prescriptions
• DVLA documentation or correspondence
• Residency e.g. tenancy agreements.

Please note

• we can accept original documents, photos, online versions or scanned copies of the documents above. Please ensure all text is legible
• some driving licences and national identity cards do not show your address. If yours doesn't, we can't accept it as your sole ID
• all documents need to be valid, or the paperwork issued within the last 12 months
• if necessary, it's up to you to provide official translations for foreign documents
• if you would like to bring a guest aged over 18 into our Reading Rooms, they will also need a Reader Pass. If you require a carer or have an adult dependent, they will also need a Reader Pass.

Unfortunately, we can't issue a Reader Pass without seeing the ID listed above. Without a Reader Pass, you won't be able to use our Reading Rooms.

Yes, a British Library Reader Pass is completely free of charge. It will give you free access to our world-leading collection and free access to the Reading Rooms - calm, quiet, study spaces with comfy chairs and free Wi-Fi, where you can study even if you’re not using any collection items.

Currently you can only get a Reader Pass by visiting Reader Registration in St Pancras or Boston Spa, and you can’t pre-register online. This is because a cyber-attack in October 2023 damaged our systems. We’ll let you know when we can bring back online registration.

Please bring your expired Reader Pass and your ID (see list above) to Reader Registration in St Pancras or Boston Spa. Your Reader number will be transferred to your new pass. This Reader Pass will be valid for three years.

If you have a temporary paper pass please visit Reader Registration to exchange it for a photographic pass.

A non-refundable £10 charge will apply if you require a replacement pass before the date of expiry. You’ll need to bring your ID to Reader Registration who can issue you a replacement. Find out what ID to bring in the ‘What ID do I need to register as a Reader’ FAQ above.

We're a bit different to your local library. You can't take books out, but you can use our Reading Rooms in London and Yorkshire for personal study and to access our collection. All you need is a free Reader Pass.

No, to do this, you will need to have a username and password to be able to log in to the main catalogue. Please read the instructions on how to log in. You will also need to do this if you want to view items from the Electronic Legal Deposit catalogue.

The exceptions are with materials from our manuscripts and sound and vision collections. Though a reader pass is still needed, these materials are not requested through the main catalogue. Find out more about how to order from these collections.

If you have a question about our registration process, please email reader@bl.uk and we’ll get back to you as soon as we can.

View the main opening hours page for any closures. Closed on bank holidays.

Maps, Manuscripts, and Asian and African Studies Reading Rooms close at 17.00 Monday – Saturday.

View the main opening hours page for any closures. Closed on bank holidays.

View the main opening hours page for any closures. Closed on bank holidays.