Where is the original Declaration of Independence?
Asked by: Dr. Marty VonRueden MD | Last update: February 3, 2026Score: 4.5/5 (52 votes)
The original engrossed Declaration of Independence, along with the Constitution and Bill of Rights, is housed and displayed in the Rotunda for the Charters of Freedom at the National Archives Museum in Washington, D.C., where it's kept in a special vault and protected from light. Visitors can see the document in person at the museum, though the text on the parchment is very faded due to age and past preservation efforts.
Where is the original Declaration of Independence located today?
The original Declaration of Independence is kept at the National Archives Museum in Washington, D.C., displayed in the Rotunda for the Charters of Freedom alongside the Constitution and Bill of Rights for public viewing. It's preserved under controlled conditions to protect it from light and environmental damage, with modern technology used to keep the parchment stable.
Can the public see the original Declaration of Independence?
Yes, the public can see the original Declaration of Independence at the National Archives Museum in Washington, D.C., where it's on permanent display in the Rotunda for the Charters of Freedom alongside the U.S. Constitution and Bill of Rights, with free admission and daily hours (except Thanksgiving and Christmas), though timed-entry tickets are recommended to skip lines, notes https://www.archives.gov/press/press-releases/2025/nr25-12, https://visit.archives.gov/, https://www.whitehousehistory.org/photos/photo-8-2, https://www.archives.gov/founding-docs/declaration, https://www.recreation.gov/ticket/facility/234645, https://archivesfoundation.org/archives-in-dc/, https://washington.org/visit-dc/guide-to-national-archives-museum-washington-dc, https://visit.archives.gov/visit/about-national-archives, https://www.sciencefriday.com/segments/document-restoration-national-archive/, https://www.archives.gov/publications/prologue/2016/fall/declaration, https://visit.archives.gov/visit/tickets, https://www.nypl.org/press/new-york-public-library-display-historic-copies-declaration-independence-and-bill-rights, https://www.facebook.com/usnationalarchives/posts/were-opening-the-vault-with-a-new-display-at-the-national-archives-museum-now-th/1245720160936908/.
Can you still read the original Declaration of Independence?
Located on the upper level of the National Archives, the Rotunda for the Charters of Freedom is the permanent home of the original Declaration of Independence, Constitution of the United States, and Bill of Rights.
How much is an original Declaration of Independence worth?
Probably the most common question we get in the Americana department is “I found an original copy of the Declaration of Independence—is it worth anything?” The short answer: it's worth somewhere between zero and ten million dollars.
Reading of the Declaration of Independence
Where is the original copy of the Declaration of Independence now?
On permanent display in the National Archives Rotunda is the original engrossed Declaration of Independence. Signed by 56 delegates to the Second Continental Congress, it broke ties with Britain and proclaimed that the united colonies are free, independent states.
Does it cost anything to see the original Declaration of Independence?
Entry to the National Archives is free.
Tickets are not required but are recommended to improve visitor experience and leverage new personalization system throughout the museum.
How much jail time for stealing the Declaration of Independence?
18 U.S.C. 668 (THEFT OF MAJOR ARTWORK) – “A person who steals or obtains by fraud from the care, custody, or control of a 'museum' any 'object of cultural heritage'… shall be fined [up to $250,000], imprisoned not more than 10 years, or both.” 18 U.S.C.
How can I tell if I have a real copy of the Declaration of Independence?
If there are any printed marks at the top or bottom that include copyright or dating, or a printed location (ie the National Archives) that would be proof that it is a reproduction.
Why can't you take pictures of the Declaration of Independence?
The primary impetus for the new regulation was concern that the Charters of Freedom (the Declaration, the Constitution and the Bill of Rights) and other original documents on display in the National Archives Experience were at risk from exposure to flash photography.
What is the rarest signature on the Declaration of Independence?
The rarest signature on the Declaration of Independence belongs to Button Gwinnett, a signer from Georgia, due to his relative obscurity, short life (killed in a duel shortly after signing), and a fire that destroyed many of his papers, leaving only about 51 known examples of his signature, making it incredibly valuable to collectors. While Thomas Lynch, Jr. is also considered extremely rare, Gwinnett's signature is generally seen as the most elusive and valuable.
Why is the original Declaration of Independence so faded?
A decrease in the intensity—and thus the legibility—of the ink can also be attributed to prolonged exposure to light during exhibition, which resulted in some fading. In addition, moisture applied to the document during wet-transfer copying processes would have removed some amount of ink.
Where do they keep the original copy of the Constitution?
The National Archives in Washington, DC. National Archives Museum.
Where is the Liberty Bell located today?
The Liberty Bell is located in the Liberty Bell Center in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, at 526 Market Street, within Independence National Historical Park, directly across from Independence Hall, making it a central, free attraction for visitors exploring American history.
What happened to the actual Declaration of Independence?
The signed copy of the Declaration is now on display at the National Archives in Washington, D.C., and is generally considered the official document; this copy, engrossed by Timothy Matlack, was ordered by Congress on July 19, and signed primarily on August 2, 1776.
What happened to the 56 men who signed the Declaration of Independence?
The 56 signers of the Declaration of Independence faced severe consequences, with many suffering property loss, imprisonment, and hardship, though few died directly from British action; nine died in the war from wounds or disease, several were tortured as prisoners, others had homes burned, and some died in poverty, but most survived to see the new nation established, with two, John Adams and Thomas Jefferson, dying on the same day, the 50th anniversary of the signing.
Did Johnson go to jail for burning the flag?
Johnson was eventually convicted under Texas' flag desecration law, which prohibited anyone from intentionally or knowingly desecrating a flag in a way they knew would seriously offend someone else. He was sentenced to a year in jail and fined $2,000.
Who owns a copy of the Declaration of Independence?
The Library of Congress owns two of the surviving 26 copies of the first printing of the Declaration of Independence, also known as the “Dunlap Broadside,” printed in Philadelphia on the evening of July 4 and the early morning of July 5, 1776. United States. Declaration of Independence.
How much is a Declaration of Independence worth?
A rare broadside copy of the Declaration of Independence is heading to auction at Sotheby's, where it's expected to fetch between $2 and $4 million. Dated to July 1776, this edition was created to disseminate the founding document to the public.
Can I view the original Declaration of Independence?
What You'll See. America's story comes to life at the National Archives Museum—home to the original Declaration of Independence and more than 13 billion other documents, photographs, films, and more.
Do I need tickets to see the Liberty Bell?
No, you do not have to pay to see the Liberty Bell; admission to the Liberty Bell Center is completely free, with no tickets required, but you must go through a security screening, and you should expect potential lines, especially during peak seasons. Entry is first-come, first-served, and while the Bell itself is free, tickets are needed for tours inside Independence Hall, a separate building nearby, which can sometimes cause confusion.
What was removed from the Declaration?
The deleted words — beginning with “He has waged cruel war against human nature itself, violating its most sacred rights of life and liberty in the persons of a distant people who never offended him …” — were a condemnation of George III, “the Christian King of Great Britain,” and his participation in and perpetuation ...
Where is the real Declaration of Independence kept?
After the war it was returned to the Library of Congress and today can be seen on display in the rotunda of the National Archives. The dimly lit hall at the National Archive where the Charters of Freedom, the U.S. Constitution and Declaration of Independence, are displayed. Washington, D.C.
Is the Declaration legally binding today?
The Declaration of Independence states the principles on which our government, and our identity as Americans, are based. Unlike the other founding documents, the Declaration of Independence is not legally binding, but it is powerful.