National Archives and Records
Administration
General Records Schedules
Transmittal No. 22
April 2010
GENERAL RECORDS SCHEDULE 14
Information Services Records
This schedule covers certain records pertaining to informational services performed by Government agencies in their day-to-day affairs and in their relations with the public, including records created in administering Freedom of Information Act and Privacy Act (FOIA) programs. Except as otherwise specified in individual items, it applies to copies of these records wherever located in an agency. Item 4 applies only to files maintained in the office responsible for the operation of the information activities of the agency or subdivision thereof. Items 11 through 15 describe the files accumulated in carrying out the provisions of the FOIA, and items 21 through 26 describe the files created in administering the provisions of the Privacy Act. Items 31 through 35 cover records created in response to requests for mandatory records declassification.
These records consist of inquiries, replies, and related correspondence; in the case of FOIA, Privacy Act, and mandatory declassification files, appeals and other records; administrative background files for formal information releases, and records relating to inappropriate release of privileged information. Closely related records such as records relating to budget presentation, and printing, duplicating, and distribution are covered by other General Records Schedules. Records created prior to January 1, 1921, must be offered to the National Archives and Records Administration (NARA) before applying this schedule.
Other information services records such as speeches and press releases may have permanent value. As potentially archival records, these series must be scheduled individually so NARA may appraise them. To schedule these and other information services records not included in this schedule, agencies submit a Standard Form (SF) 115, Request for Records Disposition Authority, to NARA.
1. Information Requests Files.
Requests for information and copies of replies thereto, involving no administrative actions, no policy decisions, and no special compilations or research and requests for and transmittals of publications, photographs, and other information literature.
Destroy when 3 months old. (N1-GRS-98-2, item 10)
2. Acknowledgment Files.
Acknowledgment and transmittals of inquiries and requests that have been referred elsewhere for reply. (GRS 14, 1952, items 2 and 3)
Destroy 3 months after acknowledgment and referral.
3. Press Service Files.
Press service teletype news and similar materials.
Destroy when 3 months old.
4. Information Project Files.
Information service project case files maintained in formally designated information offices.
Destroy 1 year after close of file or 1 year after completion of project.
5. Commendation/Complaint Correspondence Files.
Anonymous letters, letters of commendation, complaint, criticism and suggestion, and replies thereto, EXCLUDING those on the basis of which investigations were made or administrative action taken and those incorporated into individual personnel records.
Destroy when 3 months old. (GRS 14, 1952, item 5)
6. Indexes and Check Lists.
Bibliographies, checklists, and indexes of agency publications and releases, EXCLUDING those relating to record sets scheduled as permanent.
Destroy when superseded or obsolete.
Items 7 through 10. Reserved.
11. FOIA Requests Files.
Files created in response to requests for information under the FOIA, consisting of the original request, a copy of the reply thereto, and all related supporting files which may include the official file copy of requested record or copy thereof.
a. Correspondence and supporting documents (EXCLUDING the official file copy of the records requested if filed herein).
(1) Granting access to all the requested records.
Destroy 2 years after date of reply. (NC1-64-77-1 item 16a1)
(2) Responding to requests for nonexistent records; to requesters who provide inadequate descriptions; and to those who fail to pay agency reproduction fees.
(a) Request not appealed.
Destroy 2 years after date of reply. (NC1-64-77-1 item 16a2a)
(b) Request appealed.
Destroy as authorized under Item 12. (NC1-64-77-1 item 16a2b)
(3) Denying access to all or part of the records requested.
(a) Request not appealed.
Destroy 6 years after date of reply. (NC1-64-77-1 item 16a3a)
(b) Request appealed.
Destroy as authorized under Item 12. (NC1-64-77-1 item 16a3b)
b. Official file copy of requested records.
Dispose of in accordance with approved agency disposition instructions for the related records or with the related FOIA request, whichever is later. (NC1-64-77-1 item 16b)
12. FOIA Appeals Files.
Files created in responding to administrative appeals under the FOIA for release of information denied by the agency, consisting of the appellant's letter, a copy of the reply thereto, and related supporting documents, which may include the official file copy of records under appeal or copy thereof.
a. Correspondence and supporting documents (EXCLUDING the file copy of the records under appeal if filed herein).
Destroy 6 years after final determination by agency, 6 years after the time at which a requester could file suit, or 3 years after final adjudication by the courts, whichever is later. (N1-GRS-87-4 item 17a; also Jean Keeting memo to file 3/21/1988)
b. Official file copy of records under appeal.
Dispose of in accordance with approved agency disposition instructions for the related record or with the related FOIA request, whichever is later. (NC1-64-77-1 item 17b)
13. FOIA Control Files.
Files maintained for control purposes in responding to requests, including registers and similar records listing date, nature, and purpose of request and name and address of requester.
a. Registers or listing.
Destroy 5 years after date of last entry. (NC1-64-76-3, item 11a)
b. Other files.
Destroy 5 years after final action by the agency or after final adjudication by courts, whichever is later. (NC1-64-76-3, item 11b)
14. FOIA Reports Files. [See note after this item.]
Recurring reports and one-time information requirements relating to the agency implementation of the Freedom of Information Act, EXCLUDING annual reports to the Congress at the departmental or agency level.
Destroy when 2 years old. (N1-GRS-98-2 item 11)
[NOTE: The GRS does not cover departmental or agency level annual reports to the Congress. These reports should be scheduled for transfer to the National Archives of the United States by submitting an SF 115 to NARA.]
15. FOIA Administrative Files.
Records relating to the general agency implementation of the FOIA, including notices, memoranda, routine correspondence, and related records.
Destroy when 2 years old. (N1-GRS-98-2 item 12)
Items 16 through 20. Reserved.
21. Privacy Act Requests Files.
Files created in response to requests from individuals to gain access to their records or to any information in the records pertaining to them, as provided for under 5 U.S.C. 552a(d)(1). Files contain original request, copy of reply thereto, and all related supporting documents, which may include the official file copy of records requested or copy thereof.
a. Correspondence and supporting documents (EXCLUDING the official file copy of the records requested if filed herein).
(1) Granting access to all the requested records.
Destroy 2 years after date of reply. (NC1-64-77-1 item 25a1)
(2) Responding to requests for nonexistent records; to requesters who provide inadequate descriptions; and to those who fail to pay agency reproduction fees.
(a) Requests not appealed.
Destroy 2 years after date of reply. (NC1-64-77-1 item 25a2a)
(b) Requests appealed.
Destroy as authorized under Item 22. (NC1-64-77-1 item 25a2b)
(3) Denying access to all or part of the records requested.
(a) Requests not appealed.
Destroy 5 years after date of reply. (NC1-64-77-1 item 25a3a)
(b) Requests appealed.
Destroy as authorized under Item 22. (NC1-64-77-1 item 25a3b)
b. Official file copy of requested records.
Dispose of in accordance with approved agency disposition instructions for the related records or with the related Privacy Act request, whichever is later. (NC1-64-77-1 item 25b)
22. Privacy Act Amendment Case Files.
Files relating to an individual's request to amend a record pertaining to that individual as provided for under 5 U.S.C. 552a(d)(2); to the individual's request for a review of an agency's refusal of the individual's request to amend a record as provided for under 5 U.S.C. 552a(d)(3); and to any civil action brought by the individual against the refusing agency as provided under 5 U.S.C. 552a(g).
a. Requests to amend agreed to by agency. Includes individual's requests to amend and/or review refusal to amend, copies of agency's replies thereto, and related materials.
Dispose of in accordance with the approved disposition instructions for the related subject individual's record or 4 years after agency's agreement to amend, whichever is later. (NC1-64-77-1 item 26a)
b. Requests to amend refused by agency. Includes individual's requests to amend and to review refusal to amend, copies of agency's replies thereto, statement of disagreement, agency justification for refusal to amend a record, and related materials.
Dispose of in accordance with the approved disposition instructions for the related subject individual's record, 4 years after final determination by agency, or 3 years after final adjudication by courts, whichever is later. (NC1-64-77-1 item 26b)
c. Appealed requests to amend. Includes all files created in responding to appeals under the Privacy Act for refusal by any agency to amend a record.
Dispose of in accordance with the approved disposition instructions for related subject individual's record or 3 years after final adjudication by courts, whichever is later. (NC1-64-77-1 item 26c)
23. Privacy Act Accounting of Disclosure Files.
Files maintained under the provisions of 5 U.S.C. 552a(c) for an accurate accounting of the date, nature, and purpose of each disclosure of a record to any person or to another agency, including forms for showing the subject individual's name, requester's name and address, purpose and date of disclosure, and proof of subject individual's consent when applicable.
Dispose of in accordance with the approved disposition instructions for the related subject individual's records or 5 years after the disclosure for which the accountability was made, whichever is later. (NC1-64-77-1 item 27)
24. Privacy Act Control Files.
Files maintained for control purposes in responding to requests, including registers and similar records listing date, nature of request, and name and address of requester.
a. Registers or listings.
Destroy 5 years after date of last entry. (NC1-64-77-1 item 28a)
b. Other files.
Destroy 5 years after final action by the agency or final adjudication by courts, whichever is later. (NC1-64-77-1 item 28b)
25. Privacy Act Reports Files. [See note after this item.]
Recurring reports and one-time information requirement relating to agency implementation, including biennial reports to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB), and the Report on New Systems at all levels.
Destroy when 2 years old. (N1-GRS-89-4 item 1)
[NOTE: The GRS does not cover the biennial report to Congress from OMB. (N1-GRS-89-4 item 1 Note)]
26. Privacy Act General Administrative Files.
Records relating to the general agency implementation of the Privacy Act, including notices, memoranda, routine correspondence, and related records.
Destroy when 2 years old. (N1-GRS-98-2 item 13)
Items 27 through 30. Reserved.
31. Mandatory Review For Declassification Requests Files.
Files created in response to requests for information under the mandatory review provisions of Executive Order 12356 consisting of the original request, a copy of the reply thereto, and all related supporting files, which may include the official file copy of requested records or a copy thereof.
a. Correspondence and supporting documents (EXCLUDING the official file copy of the records if filed herein, and sanitizing instructions, if applicable).
(1) Granting access to all the requested records.
Destroy 2 years after date of reply. (N1-GRS-87-7, item 31a1)
(2) Responding to requests for nonexistent records; to requesters who provide inadequate descriptions; and to those who fail to pay agency reproduction fees.
(a) Request not appealed.
Destroy 2 years after date of reply. (N1-GRS-87-7, item 31a2a)
(b) Request appealed.
Destroy as authorized under Item 32. (N1-GRS-87-7, item 31a2b)
(3) Denying access to all or part of the records requested.
(a) Request not appealed.
Destroy 5 years after date of reply. (N1-GRS-87-7, item 31a3a)
(b) Request appealed.
Destroy as authorized under Item 32. (N1-GRS-87-7, item 31a3b)
b. Official file copy of requested records.
Dispose of in accordance with approved disposition instructions for the related records or with the related mandatory review request, whichever is later. (N1-GRS-87-7, item 31b)
c. Sanitizing instructions.
Destroy when superseded or when requested documents are declassified or destroyed. (N1-GRS-87-7, item 31c)
32. Mandatory Review for Declassification Appeals Files.
Files created in responding to administrative appeals under the mandatory review provisions of Executive Order 12356 and its predecessors for release of information denied by the agency. Files consist of the appellant's letter, a copy of the reply thereto, and related supporting documents, which may include the official file copy of records under appeal or copy thereof.
a. Correspondence and supporting documents (EXCLUDING the official file copy of the records under appeal if filed herein).
Destroy 4 years after final determination by agency. (N1-GRS-87-7, item 32a)
b. Official file copy of records under appeal.
Dispose of in accordance with approved agency disposition instructions for the related records, or with the related mandatory review request, whichever is later. (N1-GRS-87-7, item 32b)
33. Mandatory Review for Declassification Control Files.
Files maintained for control purposes in responding to requests, including registers and similar records listing date, nature, and purpose of request and name and address of requester.
a. Registers or listing.
Destroy 5 years after date. (N1-GRS-87-7, item 33a)
b. Other files.
Destroy 5 years after final action by the agency. (N1-GRS-87-7, item 33b)
34. Mandatory Review for Declassification Reports Files.
Reports relating to agency implementation of the mandatory review provisions of the current Executive order on classified national security information, including annual reports submitted to the Information Security Oversight Office.
Destroy when 2 years old. (N1-GRS-98-2 item 14)
35. Mandatory Review for Declassification Administrative Files.
Records relating to the general agency implementation of the mandatory review provisions of the current Executive order on classified national security information, including notices, memoranda, correspondence, and related records.
Destroy when 2 years old. (N1-GRS-98-2 item 15)
36. Erroneous Release Files.
Files relating to the inadvertent release of privileged information to unauthorized parties, containing information the disclosure of which would constitute an unwarranted invasion of personal privacy. Files contain requests for information, copies of replies thereto, and all related supporting documents, and may include the official copy of records requested or copies thereof.
a. Files that include the official file copy of the released records.
Follow the disposition instructions approved for the released official file copy or destroy 6 years after the erroneous release, whichever is later. (N1-GRS-89-2 item 1a)
b. Files that do not include the official file copy of the released records.
Destroy 6 years after the erroneous release. (N1-GRS-89-2 item 1b)
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