NARA and Declassification
NARA has several roles concerning declassification and the handling of restricted records.
Records may be restricted by statute, Executive Order, or by the agency that transferred the records to NARA. All agency-specified restrictions must comply with the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA). Even if the records are not national-security classified, some records contain information exempt from release under the FOIA. Presidential records are governed by several laws depending on dates and president.
Press Releases About Declassification
- National Archives and CIA Sign MOU on Processing Federal Records 04/17/08
- National Archives Releases Results of Audit 04/26/06
- National Archives Releases Second Declassified of Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) 04/17/06
- Archivist of the United States' Statement on Declassification of Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) Between the National Archives and Records Administration and the United States Air Force 04/10/06
- National Archives Hosts Summit with Federal Agencies to Discuss Re-review of Documents 03/06/06
- Archivist of the United States Announces New Steps in Response to Withdrawal of Declassified Records from Open Shelves at the National Archives 03/02/06
- Public Interest Declassification Board Holds First Meeting: Document Withdrawal from the National Archives a Serious Concern 02/28/06
- The National Archives Responds to Reclassification of Documents 02/22/2006
You can request access under the Mandatory Declassification Review (MDR) process of Executive Order 12958, as amended, or under the FOIA. If your FOIA request is denied by the Inspector General submit a written appeal to the Archivist. All other denials should be sent the Deputy Archivist. If your MDR request is denied your first appeal is sent to the agency. Further appeals can be made to ISCAP.
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