National Archives of the Netherlands | The national memory of the national government.

Government organisations, whilst carrying out their business activities, create archives that record how they carry out their tasks.

Archival records must be preserved in a proper, organised, and accessible manner. Retention schedules offer a means by which to identify which archival records are destined for destruction and which for preservation.

Government organisations are responsible for their own archival records. Upon transfer (i.e. physical conveyance to the National Archives), responsibility is shifted to the State Archives Service.

In principle, the archival records of the government are publicly accessible and can be freely consulted by anyone. Sustained accessibility of paper and digital records is paramount.