General information about our archive, and the ability to search our database to see if we have a digital copy of a given church book, are free for all visitors to the site. Please note that only books marked in green are available as digital copies. The forum is also free to use, but requires registration in order to post comments to the platform.
Access to digital book material requires paid access. There are different passes available based on your needs. Each pass expires at the end of its period of validity and is not automatically renewed.
Access to the digital material takes place using an internet browser, and access is limited to one device per user account. Each different pass type allows you a certain number of downloads through the church book viewer application. Downloaded images are in PDF format, and a PDF-reader must be installed on your device to read downloaded material – click here to download a PDF-reader application.
Click on “Buy Access” in the top right corner under www.archion.de/en. You will be transferred to our purchase page. Here you can choose between our three time passes. Select a pass and click on “Book Pass now”. If you are not yet signed in or signed up, you will get to the page where you can either log in or register. After you have successfully signed in and entered your address data, you will be asked about the payment type. Select Paypal, credit card or invoice (within Germany). On the right, you see once more which pass you have selected. Click on “To overview” there.
Check your data and the selected pass again. If everything is ok, please accept the Terms & Conditions, the Privacy Policy, and the Right of Revocation. Then click on “Buy with payment obligation”.
You can start your research now no matter which payment method you have selected. You will receive the invoice via e-mail a few minutes after booking.
As we don’t like subscriptions, we do not offer them. All access passes end automatically upon the period of time selected by you. They are not automatically renewed. If you want to continue your research, just book a new access pass. It is possible to book a follow-up pass four weeks before the current pass expires. The new pass will then continue to run seamlessly after the old pass expires. You will not lose any researcher days.
We are happy to offer you a wide variety of payment methods. You can decide for yourself which method is best for you:
PayPal
After selecting your desired pass and the PayPal payment method, you will be forwarded to the PayPal website in a new window. Follow the instructions on that page to complete your order.
Credit Card
After selecting your desire pass, you will be forwarded to our payment provider in a new window. Master Card and Visa Card are accepted. Your credit card account will be charged directly upon checkout.
Was ist unter einem Download zu verstehen?
Während des Buchungszeitraums können Sie so viele Kirchenbuchseiten ansehen, wie Sie möchten. Unter einem Download ist das Abspeichern und/oder Ausdrucken einer Kirchenbuchseite oder eines Ausschnitts einer Kirchenbuchseite zu verstehen. Wenn Sie auf das Download-Symbol klicken, wird eine PDF-Datei erzeugt und auf Ihren Computer heruntergeladen, die den Bildausschnitt zeigt, den Sie gerade im Viewer sehen.
Downloads werden immer von dem Pass abgezogen, der als erstes endet. Wenn Sie also 25-Extra-Downloads kaufen, obwohl auf Ihrem aktiven Pass noch Downloads übrig sind, werden die Downloads des Passes als erstes verwendet.
Wie drucke ich eine Kirchenbuchseite (Download) aus?
Klicken Sie zuerst in der oberen Funktionsleiste des Viewers auf das Download-Symbol.
Wählen Sie nun im Viewer zunächst mit dem Zoom den gewünschten Bildausschnitt (+...- in der unteren Funktionsleiste des Viewers oder per Mausrad). Wählen Sie dann, ob das PDF im Hochformat oder im Querformat auf Ihrem PC gespeichert werden soll. Der Bildausschnitt kann dann als PDF heruntergeladen und dann ausgedruckt werden.
Damit Sie optimale Ergebnisse erzielen können, werden wiederholte Downloads derselben Seite (innerhalb von sieben Tagen) nicht von Ihrem Downloadvolumen abgezogen.
Wo kann ich sehen, wie viele Downloads ich noch zur Verfügung habe?
Wenn Sie eingeloggt sind, gehen Sie in die Konto-Übersicht über den Button "Mein Konto". Auf der sich öffnenden Seite sehen Sie direkt Ihren gebuchten Pass und die noch verbleibenden Downloads.
Was, wenn ich noch Downloads übrig habe?
Die Downloads eines Zeitpasses, welche nicht genutzt werden, verfallen nach Ablauf des Passes.
Die 25-Extra-Downloads bleiben allerdings bestehen. Diese kann man mitnehmen und weiter verwenden, wenn man einen neuen Pass gebucht hat.
Downloads werden immer von dem Pass abgezogen, der als erstes endet. Wenn Sie also 25-Extra-Downloads kaufen, obwohl auf Ihrem aktiven Pass noch Downloads übrig sind, werden die Downloads des Passes als erstes verwendet.
Was tun, wenn meine Downloads aufgebraucht sind?
Wenn Sie noch einen aktiven Pass haben, können Sie weitere 25-Extra-Downloads dazubuchen. Klicken Sie dazu oben rechts auf "Zugang kaufen". Unterhalb der Zugangspässe finden Sie die 25-Extra-Downloads.
Eine andere Möglichkeit finden Sie in Ihrem persönlichen Konto. Gehen Sie dazu in die Konto-Übersicht über den Button "Mein Konto". Hier sehen Sie unterhalb des Balkens für die Downloads den Link "Downloads aufstocken". Sie werden dann zur Bezahlseite weitergeleitet.
Bitte beachten Sie: Downloads können nur mit einem aktiven Pass gebucht und genutzt werden. Ohne einen Pass haben Sie keinen berechtigten Zugang zu den digitalisierten Kirchenbüchern.
If you are logged in, go to the account overview using the “Profile” button. On the page that opens, you will see your booked pass and your remaining text recognitions directly.
How many on demand text recognitions are included?
The number of included text recognitions depends on your pass.
The following included amounts apply to new bookings:
For bookings made before April 22, 2026:
Existing passes will receive additional on demand text recognitions retroactively. The number depends on how many full months the pass is still valid as of the cut-off date. The following applies:
All passes are also available as gift vouchers. A pass entitles you to access the digitised church records for the selected period. You will receive the voucher as a PDF by e-mail after booking and can then print at home and give away as a gift.
What gift vouchers are available?
The 1-Month-Pass, the 3-Month-Pass and the 1-Year-Pass are available as gift vouchers. A pass entitles to access the digitized church records for the selected period.
How do I receive the gift voucher?
After booking, you will receive your gift voucher to print out by e-mail. If you do not order as a guest but create a free user account, you can also access and download the voucher at any time via your account overview.
When will i receive the gift voucher?
With the payment methods PayPal and credit card, the voucher will be sent a few minutes after booking. When paying by invoice (only possible within Germany), you will receive the voucher only after receipt of payment.
How do I order a gift voucher?
Click here to find out how you can order a gift voucher.
How do I redeem a voucher?
Click here to find out how to redeem a gift voucher.
What restrictions and general conditions apply?
1. Restrictions
Vouchers expire three years after their issue date. Except in legally specified cases, vouchers cannot be recharged, re-sold, transferred, or paid out in cash value.
2. General Conditions
The General Terms an Conditions for the www.archion.de website at the time of purchase applay to all vouchers.
Vouchers are issued by Kirchenbuchportal GmbH, Balinger Str. 33/1, 70567 Stuttgart, Germany.
USt-IdNr. DE290883461
You agree to these conditions upon purchasing, receiving or using a voucher.
To book a voucher, go to "Buy access" at the top right. Here you will see all access passes. Choose a pass and click on "Buy as a gift voucher" further down. You will be redirected to a page where you can sign in or sign up. If you only want to buy as a guest, that works too.
Please note: As a guest you can only buy vouchers. No personal account will be created.
In the next window select the payment method and click on "Continue to overview".
In the next window you will see an overview of your selected voucher, the payment method and your personal inforamtion. If everything is correct, please accept the terms and conditions, the privacy policy and the right of withdrawal. Then click on "Buy with obligation to pay".
The voucher will arrive by e-mail as a PDF to print out and give away. If you have not ordered as a guest, you can also find the voucher for download in your personal account overview in the "Vouchers" tab.
If you are already signed up with ARCHION, sign in via "Login" above. Go to your personal account overview via "Profile". Here click on "Vouchers" on the left. Click there on the button "Redeem Voucher". Enter the voucher code in the window that opens and click on "Redeem voucher code". The corresponding product will then be automatically provided to you in the account.
Feel free to write us about your concern in person, either via mail to info@archion.de or via our contact form.
