The municipality was incorporated under N.S.W. Act 13, No. 40, October 1849. Geelong was proclaimed a Town on 4 June, 1858. It was proclaimed a City on 8 December 1910 by provisions of Act 54 Vic., No. 1112. Local Government Reform Geelong City was amalgamated with the City of Greater Geelong under the City of Greater Geelong Act 1993 on 18 May 1993. The amalgamation occurred as part of a statewide program of local government reform enacted between 1993 and 1995. The reform process reduced the number of councils from 210 to 78.

Various series in the Heritage Centre collection feature members of the royal family. Geelong has hosted a number of visits by royal family members including:

1850 - Prince Frederick of Schleswig-Holstein (in cognito) (Source: The Investigator 2008, Vol. 43, No. 1, p.30)

1867 - HRH Alfred the Duke of Edinburgh (Source: The Investigator 2008, Vol. 43, No. 1, p.30)

14 May 1901 - Duke and Duchess of York (Source: Trove)

1 June 1920 - Edward, Prince of Wales (Source: GRS1218/1 Geelong City Council Visitors Book) (Source: The Investigator 2001, Vol. 36, No. 3, p.108)

7 May 1927 - Albert and Elizabeth, Duke & Duchess of Cornwall (Source: GRS1218/1 Geelong City Council Visitors Book) (Source: The Investigator 2001, Vol. 36, No. 3, p.108)

3 November 1934 - Henry, Duke of Gloucester (Source: GRS1218/1 Geelong City Council Visitors Book)

22 November 1945 - Henry and Alice (Source: GRS1218/1 Geelong City Council Visitors Book)

6 March 1954 - Queen Elizabeth (Source: Trove)

21 September 1959 - Princess Alexandra of Kent (Source: GA)

16 June 1966 - Charles, Prince of Wales (Source: GRS1218/1 Geelong City Council Visitors Book)

29 October 1974 - Charles, Prince of Wales (Source: GRS1218/1 Geelong City Council Visitors Book)

28 April 1988 - Queen Elizabeth and Prince Philip (Source: GRS1218/1 Geelong City Council Visitors Book)