Publications of the National Register of Historic Places

The National Register of Historic Places is the official list of the Nation's historic places worthy of preservation. Authorized by the National Historic Preservation Act of 1966, the National Park Service's National Register of Historic Places is part of a national program to coordinate and support public and private efforts to identify, evaluate, and protect America's historic and archeological resources.

Updated TCP Bulletin

The TCP Bulletin provides guidance for preparing a nomination of a traditional cultural place (TCP) for inclusion in the National Register of Historic Places (National Register). Through feedback from key stakeholders, including Tribes, government agencies, preservation organizations, and the public, the TCP Bulletin has been revised with additional guidance that builds upon (and supercedes) the 1998 edition by using plain language and incorporating extensive examples.

Identifying, Evaluating, and Documenting Traditional Cultural Places National Register Bulletin (96mb)
Low resolution version (15mb)
Summary of Revisions

A hard copy may be obtained by submitting a request via email.

Best Practices Review

The “Best Practices Review” compliments the guidance provided in National Register Bulletins by providing examples on specific topics. New Best Practices Reviews are typically issued quarterly. Your feedback as well as suggestions for future topics are welcome; please contact us.

National Register of Historic Places Bulletins

National Register Policy Clarifications

From time to time, the Keeper of the National Register issues a response to a policy question that has been raised about application of the criteria and other program requirements. When the Keeper issues such clarifications, they constitute an adjustment to or affirmation of that policy. The Keeper's policy clarifications will be posted on the web site and may be incorporated into future publications.

• Letter from the Keeper of the National Register of Historic Places (November 12, 2021) identifying an acceptable alternative to the traditional means for registering owner objection to listing one’s property in the National Register of Historic Places or its designation as a Historic Landmark.

In response to questions received from our preservation partners, the National Park Service has developed a fact sheet and sample language document to supplement the letter from the Keeper of the National Register of Historic Places distributed in November 2021. That letter identified an acceptable alternative to the traditional means for registering owner objection to listing one’s property in the National Register of Historic Places or its designation as a Historic Landmark.

• Area of Significance categories and subcategories have grown since Bulletin 16a “How to Complete the National Register Form” was last issued in 1997. As part of the National Park Service’s ongoing efforts to ensure all places of significance in American history are accurately identified in nominations, and to better support research on these places, areas of significance for Ethnic Heritage and Social History have been expanded. This list suggests options for proponents and state, Tribal, and Federal nominating authorities to apply at their discretion in preparing nominations or updating documentation.

• Additional Guidance Addendum to the National Register Bulletin, How to Complete the National Register Registration Form (2/1/2018) addresses counting contributing resources outside the Period of Significance for a listed property

• Guidance on How to Submit a Nomination to the National Register of Historic Places on Disk (pdf). This guidance has been replaced by the CRSP Instructions and the Consolidated and Updated Photograph Policy 2024

• GIS Map Guidance (pdf)

• Webinar on GIS Map guidance

• Photograph policy updated (5/15/2013): This guidance has been replaced by the Consolidated and Updated Photograph Policy 2024

• Integrity Requirements for Settings and Locations of Locomotives and Other Rolling Stock

• National Register Eligibility of National Cemeteries – A Clarification of Policy

Checklists

Items the National Register of Historic Places looks for when reviewing nominations

• Technical Review Checklist
• Substantive Checklist

National Register "White Paper" Series

The white papers that were posted here will be revised and issued as new Best Practices Reviews.

Cultural Resources Submission Portal - CRSP

The Cultural Resources Submission Portal (CRSP or “crisp”) replaces the initial electronic submissions system with an enhanced system. CRSP is only for nominating authorities: State Historic Preservation Offices, Tribal Preservation Offices, and Federal Preservation Offices. Instructions and URL

National Register Brochures

Last updated: April 2, 2026

Tools