The National Archives Catalog

Access Restriction Status

Mandatory Repeatable Data Type Authority Level Available A/V Only Public Element
Yes No Variable Character Length (25) Access Restriction Status List Series
File Unit
Item
No Yes

 

Definition:

The indication of whether or not there are access restrictions on the archival materials.

 

Purpose: Alerts users if access to the archival materials may be restricted.

 

Relationship: This element is independent, but Specific Access Restriction and Access Restriction Note are dependent on it. In addition, the selection of some terms from the Access Restriction Status Authority List requires the use of Specific Access Restriction or Access Restriction Note as described in the Guidance.

 

Guidance:

Choose an appropriate term from the Access Restriction Status Authority List.

Use "Restricted - Fully" if all the archival materials are restricted.

Use "Restricted - Partly" if some of the archival materials are restricted.

Use "Restricted - Possibly" if the archival materials may be restricted.

Use "Undetermined" when it is unknown if the archival materials are restricted.

Use "Unrestricted" if there are no access restrictions on the archival materials.

If "Restricted - Fully" or "Restricted - Partly" is used, then Specific Access Restriction must also be indicated.

If "Restricted - Possibly" is used, explain further in Access Restriction Note.

If "Undetermined" is selected, explain it further in Access Restriction Note.

Do not use this element to describe restrictions on using or reproducing the archival materials, instead use the use restriction elements.

 

Examples:

 

Access Restriction Status - Restricted - Possibly
Specific Access Restriction - FOIA (b)(6) Personal Information
Access Restriction Note - The records may be restricted due to privacy concerns. Register numbers 1 through 900 have been screened and are open for research.
[For the series "Warden's Notebook Pages" created between 1934 and 1963 at the U.S. Penitentiary at Alcatraz Island to provide basic summary information and identification photograph of each inmate.]

 

Access Restriction Status - Restricted - Partly
Specific Access Restriction - FOIA (b)(1) National Security
Security Classification - Top Secret
Specific Access Restriction - Presidential Records Act (p)(1) National Security Classified
Security Classification - Top Secret
Specific Access Restriction - Presidential Records Act (p)(6) Personal Privacy
Access Restriction Note - The closed portion of this series is subject to Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) requests under the provisions of the Presidential Records Act (PRA).
[For the series "African Affairs Directorate: Records, 1981-89" in the Ronald Reagan Library, which has been partially opened for research.]

 

Access Restriction Status - Restricted - Partly
Specific Access Restriction - Other
Access Restriction Note - The military records have been declassified (NND project number 973063). Some records remain restricted due to grand jury, law enforcement, national security, or privacy concerns.
[For the records Related to Criminal Case 31712, U.S. v. Iva Ikuko Toguri D'Aquino (Tokyo Rose).]

 

Access Restriction Status - Unrestricted
[For a document that has been declassified in its entirety.]


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