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Conducting Research with Accessioned Records at the National Archives

Unclassified Research Room Procedures

Agency staff researching their agency's unclassified, textual records that have been accessioned into NARA are treated as general researchers. Agency staff cannot withdraw records once they have been accessioned by NARA.

Agency staff may research their agency's accessioned, unclassified, textual records that are maintained at Archives II in College Park, MD:

• In the Textual Research Room (Room 2000) hours are 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Monday, Tuesday, and Saturday and 9:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m. Wednesday through Friday, except legal holidays.
• Consultation room hours are 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Monday through Friday, except legal holidays. No appointment is necessary.
• Records are retrieved Monday through Friday for use in the Textual Research Room at 10:00 a.m., 11:00 a.m., 1:30 p.m., and 2:30 p.m. On Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday there is an additional pull at 3:30 p.m. There are no pulls on Saturday. We do not pull in advance.

Provide any information about the records as possible, such as:

• Accession Number
• FRC Transfer Number
• Log File Numbers
• Any other identifiable information
• Upon arrival at the archives, you must register at the Customer Service desk on the first floor to get a researcher ID. If you plan to make copies you can monetize the card at this time.
• If the records that you want to research contain Controlled Unclassified Information (CUI) you must schedule your visit in advance with the Research Room by e-mailing archives2reference@nara.gov.

Please note:

• No food or drinks are allowed in the research room.
• Please see the Summary of Research Rules for more information.

View information to help you plan your visit.

Classified Research Room Procedures

Agency staff researching their agency's records that have been accessioned into NARA are treated as general researcher. Agency staff cannot withdraw records once they have been accessioned by NARA. All accessioned classified records are maintained at Archives II in College Park, MD, until they are declassified. Prior to your arrival you must:

• Schedule your visit with the Classified Research Room (CRR) by contacting Alan Lipton via phone: 301.837.1915 or via e-mail: alan.lipton@nara.gov. The CRR is open on Tuesday, Thursday, and Friday between 9:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m. Provide any information about the records that you can, such as:
  • Accession Number
  • FRC Transfer Number
  • Log File Numbers
  • Location (generally provided by unclassified Research Room staff)
  • Any other identifiable information
• Have your clearances faxed by your security office to NARA's security office: Paula Ayres by fax at 301-837-3657 (or tel. 301-837-1494). Your clearance must be at or above the level of the records that you wish to examine.

• Upon arrival at the archives, you must register at the Customer Service desk on the first floor to get a researcher ID. If you plan to make copies you can monetize the card at this time.
• If you would like to courier copies of documents out of the building, you must have a courier card or letter authorized by your agency. You should also bring your agency ID card. CRR staff can also send copies to your address authorized to receive classified mail.

Please note:

• No food or drinks are allowed in the CRR.
• No recording devices are allowed in the CRR, e.g.
  • scanners
  • cameras
  • cell phones

Please note that there are different policies for conducting research with unclassified records.

Updated: January 24, 2013

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