Many of us aren't sure what to expect when we write to an archive.  In English?  In German?  In Lithuanian?  How much will this cost?  What do I do with the document that has come to me?  I am open to suggestions and comments.

The Archives are able to locate and translate any documents related to your family's history. There is a staff of approximately 35 working for the Archives, which is fluent in the following languages:  

Lithuanian, English, German, Russian, and Hebrew.  Their services are payable, of course. 

The Archives will do the initial research for $70 and will then inform you of the records that they find. You can order the ones you are interested in at $18 per Xerox copy with a translation; $5 for just a Xerox copy; and $13 for just the translation without a Xerox copy.

Write a letter to the Archives with as much information as possible including a SASE, although they don't request one, and your money order for US$70.00 

Banking Tip: Make sure when you "purchase" your money order, if you have an all-in-one banking account the bank doesn't CHARGE you the approximately $2 for the money order. 

Archive account #: 07040255
Lithuanian Bank in Vilnius AB LTB BARU LT 2X
Naujamiestis Branch Code 2060202596

Each document (such as a marraige record) is found, translated, and sent postage paid for US$18 per copy.

Once you have sent the money to the archive, and depending on where you live, you can expect (after payment) your reqested documents within two weeks.  The lithuanian archivists are very polite, very helpful, and are very happy to hear from those wanting to research in Lithuania, and I was very surprised and astounded that a document came so quickly after the initial long wait.