Dorset County Council's Historic Environment team seeks to promote interest, understanding and enjoyment of Dorset's local history, its historic environment and the careful and sensitive development within it.

Information about historical birth registrations including what to do if you want to search the birth indexes for Dorset or obtain a copy of a birth certificate

Information about historical death registrations including what to do if you want to search the death indexes for Dorset or obtain a copy of a death certificate.

Monuments and areas deemed to be of national importance are protected as scheduled monuments.

The Dorset History Centre holds archives and printed sources relating to the county and its history.

Cleaning and maintenance of war memorials situated within the local authority boundary is in some cases undertaken by the church or other local organisations rather than the local authority.