Dear Donia,
How do I remove plastic adhesive from my marriage certificate without damaging it?
Q. Dear Donia,
A family member kindly "preserved" my marriage certificate by covering it with adhesive plastic used for covering school books. Can I try to save this document without employing a conservator? I have fundamental preservation experience with books and archives and have a modest tool roll at the ready. Thanks, Sarah
A. Dear Sarah,
I am so sorry to hear about the lamination of your marriage certificate. It will not be possible to get the plastic off without some pretty nasty chemicals and it is not worth your health doing it yourself. It would be best to contact a conservator. To find a conservator in your area, you can consult the Find a Conservator page at the American Institute for Conservation.
Good luck!