The National Archives Catalog

Home > Research Our Records > About the National Archives Catalog > Lifecycle Data Requirements Guide > Authority Sources > Accession Number

Accession Number

Mandatory Repeatable Data Type Authority Level Available A/V Only Public Element
No Yes Variable Character Length (60) None Series
File Unit
Item		 No Yes
Definition: The unique identifier assigned to a group of archival materials that have been transferred into the legal custody of NARA.
Purpose: Links the description of the archival materials and their acquisition/accession documentation. Will help NARA to create linkages in lifecycle systems.
Relationship: This element is independent.
Guidance:

Enter the accession number exactly as it appears on the source accessioning documentation. Do not include notes or explanations in this element.

For preliminary descriptions of Federal records, Accession Number should be entered if available.
Examples:
NRFFA-276-99-0001
NW-338-99-005
NN3-059-99-001
NN 373-189
N3-58-88-1
92-NLC-001
III-NN-789
4NS-021-95-367


Previous Element
Next Element
Table of Contents
Lifecycle Data Requirements Guide

Top