According to the National Park Service, "the National Register of Historic Places is the official list of the nation's historic places worthy of preservation." Indeed, when you scroll through the National Register database online, you find thousands of America's historic places. Of course, there are many more places worthy of preserving that help tell the full American story. But the National Register is one official way of recognizing a place’s value.

To help you learn more about this resource, we've collected—and answered—11 frequently asked questions about the National Register of Historic Places.

Who is in charge of the National Register?

The National Park Service (not the National Trust for Historic Preservation!) administers the National Register of Historic Places.

How old is the National Register?

The National Register was authorized by the National Historic Preservation Act in 1966, making the Register close to 60 years old.

How many places are listed in the National Register?

According to the National Park Service, as of the end of 2020 there are more than 96,000 properties listed, which represents 1.8 million contributing resources such as buildings, structures, and objects.

Note: One of the goals of the National Trust’s Impact Agenda is to develop modernized, expanded tools for preservation. This effort includes work to expand not only the listings within the National Register to include what the Impact Agenda calls a "Truer History," but also amending listings to tell the full American story.

What are the benefits to being listed in the National Register of Historic Places?

In addition to the honor associated with having your property listed in the National Register, this recognition is generally the first step for receiving preservation funding from state and local governments. Also, owners may be eligible for tax credits that can help offset the costs of rehabilitation—for example, the federal historic tax credit, which has helped restore more than 86,000 structures across the country.

Are there any restrictions for property owners of a National Register-listed place?

Often, people assume that if a property is listed in the National Register it is in some way permanently protected, but that is not necessarily the case. Owners of National Register-listed properties do not face any restrictions—including from demolition—unless the property is involved in a project receiving federal assistance (funding, for example.)

If you do plan to modify or renovate your National Register-listed historic property, we recommend you check with your State Historic Preservation Office (SHPO) to see if there are any state or local laws you should be aware of.

Will a property be in the National Register forever?

Not necessarily. If the property is significantly altered in such a way that the original, qualifying historic features are lost, the property may be removed from the Register. For example, properties that have been destroyed by fires or storms have been taken off the list.

How old does a property have to be in order to qualify for National Register inclusion?

A property must be at least 50 years old to qualify. There are special guidelines for nominating places that are younger. However, these places must be exceptionally important to be considered.

What types of places can be nominated to the list?

You can nominate districts, sites, buildings, structures, and objects—places that are significant to the community, state, or nation.

Who can nominate a place to the National Register?

Any individual can nominate a place to the National Register, but it is recommended that you contact your SHPO before submitting the appropriate forms.

What is the nomination process like?

Once nomination forms are submitted to the SHPO, they will contact all related parties, including the owner of the property, local governments, and the public for comments. The SHPO and National Register Review Board will review the nomination as well as all accompanying information (which takes a minimum of 90 days).

Then, when both the SHPO and Review Board have recommended the property for listing, the nomination goes on to the National Park Service in Washington, D.C., for final review and listing by the Keeper of the National Register of Historic Places. A decision is made within 45 days of the National Park Service's reception of the nomination.

Where and how can the National Register of Historic Places database be accessed?

You can access the National Register database online.

Find more detailed answers, plus additional frequently asked questions, on the National Register website.

An earlier version of this story was published on March 8, 2016.