§ 2107. Acceptance of records for historical preservation

21,126 words·~96 min read·/usc/title-44/section-2107

A research copy — for the controlling text, always check the official state or federal source. Not legal advice.

(a)In General.— When it appears to the Archivist to be in the public interest, the Archivist may—

(1)accept for deposit with the National Archives of the United States the records of a Federal agency, the Congress, the Architect of the Capitol, or the Supreme Court determined by the Archivist to have sufficient historical or other value to warrant their continued preservation by the United States Government;

(2)direct and effect the transfer of records of a Federal agency determined by the Archivist to have sufficient historical or other value to warrant their continued preservation by the United States Government to the National Archives of the United States, as soon as practicable, and at a time mutually agreed upon by the Archivist and the head of that Federal agency not later than thirty years after such records were created or received by that agency, unless the head of such agency has certified in writing to the Archivist that such records must be retained in the custody of such agency for use in the conduct of the regular business of the agency;

(3)direct and effect, with the approval of the head of the originating Federal agency, or if the existence of the agency has been terminated, with the approval of the head of that agency’s successor in function, if any, the transfer of records, deposited or approved for deposit with the National Archives of the United States to public or educational institutions or associations; title to the records to remain vested in the United States unless otherwise authorized by Congress; and

(4)transfer materials from private sources authorized to be received by the Archivist by section 2111 of this title.

(b)Early Transfer of Records.— The Archivist—

(1)in consultation with the head of the originating Federal agency, is authorized to accept a copy of the records described in subsection (a)(2) that have been in existence for less than thirty years; and

(2)may not disclose any such records until the expiration of—

(A)the thirty-year period described in paragraph (1);

(B)any longer period established by the Archivist by order; or

(C)any shorter period agreed to by the originating Federal agency.

(Pub. L. 90–620, Oct. 22, 1968, 82 Stat. 1287, § 2103; Pub. L. 94–575, § 4(a), Oct. 21, 1976, 90 Stat. 2727; Pub. L. 95–416, § 1(a), Oct. 5, 1978, 92 Stat. 915; renumbered § 2107 and amended Pub. L. 98–497, title I, §§ 102(a)(1), 107(a)(1), Oct. 19, 1984, 98 Stat. 2280, 2285; Pub. L. 113–187, § 3(a), Nov. 26, 2014, 128 Stat. 2007.)

Historical and Revision Notes

Based on 44 U.S. Code, 1964 ed., § 397(a) (June 30, 1949, ch. 288, title V, § 507, as added Sept. 5, 1950, ch. 849, § 6(d), 64 Stat. 583; and amended July 12, 1952, ch. 703, § 1(o), (p), 66 Stat. 594; July 12, 1955, ch. 329, 69 Stat. 297; Aug. 12, 1955, ch. 859, 69 Stat. 695; July 3, 1956, ch. 513, § 4, 70 Stat. 494; June 13, 1957, Pub. L. 85–51, 71 Stat. 69).