Service Description

You have the right to access public documents held by authorities. THL’s Registry Office assists you with document and information requests and with questions concerning registered documents. THL’s Archive preserves archival materials of THL and its predecessor agencies and provides information services related to these materials.

When you submit an official document to THL’s Registry Office, it will be registered and the matter will be initiated. You will be informed once the matter has been resolved. You can also request information, research, and copy services from the Finnish Institute for Health and Welfare (THL), covering materials held by both THL and its predecessor authorities under the Act on the Openness of Government Activities.

Document and Information Requests

You may request documents from THL, for example for research purposes or to meet other information needs. If you wish to receive documents free of charge, please include justification with your request demonstrating your entitlement to exemption from fees.

Information requests intended for the Registry Office may be submitted using the information request form. The form must be sent to THL either by email to kirjaamo(at)thl.fi or by post to the address indicated on the form.

Copies

Copies of materials held by THL are available for a fee. Charges for document copies are applied in accordance with the price list.

Permits for Confidential Information

Access to documents containing confidential information requires a permit or other authorization. Written permit applications for social and healthcare data must be submitted to Findata, while permit applications concerning other types of data must be sent to THL’s Registry Office.

Who we provide the service for

The Registry Office and the Archive serve all customers, including private individuals.

What You Can Expect from Us

THL’s Registry Office assists you with document and information requests and with questions related to registered documents.

We aim to respond without delay, and no later than within two weeks of receiving your request (Act on the Openness of Government Activities 621/1999). If responding to the request requires an unusually large amount of work, the response time may be up to one month. These time limits apply to both public and confidential documents. If the requested information cannot be disclosed, you are entitled to receive a written decision, which you may use to appeal the matter if you wish.

Fees

Detailed information on service fees is available in the price list.

How to Contact Us

The Registry Office is on duty on weekdays from 8:00 a.m. to 4:15 p.m.

Registry Office service number: +358 29 524 6110
Archive service number: +358 29 524 6112
Fax: +358 29 524 6111

Postal address: P.O. Box 30, FI-00271 Helsinki
Visiting address: Mannerheimintie 166, FI-00300 Helsinki
Documents are received at the Tilkanmäki lobby services (Building A)

Email:
kirjaamo(at)thl.fi
arkisto(at)thl.fi

Cost of calls


Electronic Services

Matters that do not require an official signature can be handled via regular email. You may use email, for example, to submit job applications, statements, or information requests.

Send your message to:
kirjaamo(at)thl.fi
arkisto(at)thl.fi

Please clearly state your name, contact details, and the subject of your message. After registration, the message will be forwarded to the appropriate case handler. You will receive an acknowledgment when our email system has received your message.

Please note that standard email traffic is not encrypted.

Sending Encrypted Messages
If you wish to encrypt your message, you may choose one of the following options:

1. Secure Message (Turvaviesti)

Go to THL’s Secure Message service and enter your email address to receive a link. Click the link and enter kirjaamo(at)thl.fi or arkisto(at)thl.fi as the recipient address.
Note: The message is transmitted securely only via the link, not via a direct email address. The subject line is not encrypted, so do not include sensitive information in the subject.

2. Suomi.fi Messages

Use of Suomi.fi Messages requires strong authentication.
Go to Suomi.fi Messages and see the Instructions for using Suomi.fi Messages.

3. Email Encrypted with a Public Key

You can retrieve THL Registry Office’s public encryption key from the Digital and Population Data Services Agency’s certificate directory under the name “Terveyden ja hyvinvoinnin laitos” (select “VRK CA for Service Providers”).

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