• WHAT RECORDS ARE AVAILABLE IN THE MAPS AND BUILDING PLANS DATABASE?
• HOW DO I SEARCH?
• HOW DO I VIEW RECORDS?
• HOW DO I REQUEST FOR COPIES OF RECORDS?
• HOW DO I GIVE COMMENTS OR FEEDBACK?

The database holds low-resolution copies of maps and building plans, the bulk of which were transferred from government bodies to the National Archives of Singapore (NAS) over the years. These maps, including topographic maps, survey maps, general maps, aviation maps and hydrographic charts, record the changing Singapore landscapes over the years.

The building plans in the database are dated before 1946 and are mainly those of private properties.

To obtain information on property owners, please visit the Singapore Land Authority (SLA) website.

Singapore Land Authority manages the Integrated Land Information Service (INLIS) which is an Internet-based system that allows you to obtain map and /or textual land information. Some of the information available includes:

• Property Title Information
• Property ownership Information
• Land Information - Lot Particulars

You may also wish to visit the Building and Construction Authority's (BCA) website as BCA allows the current property owner or prospective purchaser of an existing building to apply, inspect and make copies of the approved architectural and structural drawings that are kept in BCA.

You can search either using the basic or advanced search feature. A basic search is useful if you are starting out with your research and you would like to find as many records as possible that are relevant to a particular subject or theme. Should you wish to define specific search parameters, please click on the 'Advanced Search' tab, where you can search for records by selecting a particular source from the drop-down list. The Advanced Search will also allow you to search by a particular accession or microfilm number.

The metadata and selected low resolution copies of maps and building plans are made available on the database. You can use the 'zoom function' to take a closer look at a map or building plan. However, should you wish to view a higher resolution copy of any map, please submit a request using the media-image number (e.g. 2008000732-0042) via the NAS e-Request system.

If only the metadata is made available on the database, please request to view a copy of the map or building plan by quoting either the media-image number (e.g. 2008000732-0042) or the microfilm number (e.g. NAB 2044) when making an application via the NAS e-Request system.

We do not provide the original copies of maps or building plans for viewing as these are kept in a controlled and secured environment for long-term preservation and it is necessary to minimise handling and movements of these records.

Should you wish to request for copies of certain records, please refer to the Ordering section.

Please note that all requests for copies of records will be subject to copyright and access conditions.

National Archives of Singapore may in most cases for maps, but not always, be able to give you details of the copyright owner.

If you need reproductions of building plans still under copyright protection or of properties still in use, you will have to discover and approach the copyright owners or property owners as the National Archives of Singapore does not have information beyond whatever is disclosed in the database.

Unauthorised use or reproduction of any record from Archives Online constitutes copyright violation.

You can leave a comment or feedback via the Contact Us section. Alternatively, you can also drop us an email at nas@nlb.gov.sg and we will respond within 5 working days. If more time is needed to respond to you, we will let you know.

If you would like to comment on a particular record while viewing the record on Archives Online, please click on the "do you have more information on this record" link. We will review all comments and respond to your feedback.