US National Archives and Records Administration ...ready access to essential evidence...
Information Security Oversight Office
Attention users of screen reader software. There are 4 possible starting points on this page, please select where you want to start using this page from the following choices: Start at the NARA Website Quick-links Skip the NARA Website Quick-links and start from the main navigation choices Skip the Quick-links and the Main Navigation choices and go to the Section-Specific Navigation choices Skip all navigation choices on this page and go directly to the content. The NARA Website quick-links below provide a way to immediately navigate to frequently accessed areas of NARA's Website. Where is Hot Topics / What's New Where is The Constitution Where is The Declaration of Independence Where is The Bill of Rights Where is Genealogy Where is Veterans' Service Records Where is Archival Research Catalog (ARC) Where is Access to Archival Databases (AAD) Where is eVetRecs Where is Electronic Records Archives (ERA) Where is Archives Library Info. Center (ALIC) Where is Calendar of Events Where is FAQs Where is FOIA Reading Room Where is Information Security Oversight Office Where is Interagency Working Group (IWG) Where is Locations and Hours (Facilities) Where is Media Desk Where is Organization Chart Where is Preservation Where is Prologue Magazine Where is Publications How do I Use this Site How do I Order Copies How do I Contact NARA How do I Visit NARA How do I Apply for a Job How do I Volunteer at NARA How do I Research Online How do I Find a Public Law How do I Apply for a Grant How do I Find Records Management Training Attention users of screen reader software. The NARA Website quick-links above are repeated verbatim in a HTML form below. The form below is designed for traditional web browsers. Select this link to skip past the form.
October 29, 2004
Welcome
About Us
Research Room
Records Management
Records Center Program
Federal Register
NHPRC and Other Grants
Exhibit Hall
Digital Classroom
Records of Congress
Presidential Libraries
Search
Site Index
The National Archives Experience
Our Documents - A National Initiative on American history, civics, and service
Support the National Archives
FirstGov: The United States Government Official Web Portal
Print-Friendly Version
Sections
skip section navigation menu 1skip to content
Main Section ISOO Main Page
Main Section About ISOO
Main Section ISOO for the Public
Main Section ISOO for Government Agencies
Main Section ISOO for Industry
Resources
skip to content
Main Section Schedule of Events
Main Section Education and Training
Main Section Reports
Main Section Speeches and Articles
Main Section Policy Documents
Main Section Security Forms
Main Section Contact Information
Main Section Links
Main Section Library
Sub Section Best Practices
Current Page FAQs
Sub Section ISOO Bulletins
Main Section Search ISOO
Guidance for Agency Declassification Plans

Frequently Asked Questions

Please Contact ISOO if you have more questions concerning Agency Declassification Plans.

  1. Does the Information Security Oversight Office (ISOO) have the authority to ask for agency declassification plans?
  2. What agencies are required to submit an agency declassification plan to ISOO?
  3. How should an agency submit their agency declassification plan to ISOO?
  4. What format should an agency use for its response?
  5. What if my agency needs an extension?
  6. What does ISOO mean by "agency information contained in records created by former Government officials not in the physical control of the agency"?
  7. All agencies with Original Classification Authorities have declassification authorities. Does ISOO want a list of all OCA and those who also have declassification authority?
  8. Does ISOO want an agency's estimates to include incoming referrals and outgoing referrals?
  9. What records are covered in the declassification plan?
  10. What does textual record mean?
  11. What if my agency is having trouble locating our records?
  1. Does the Information Security Oversight Office (ISOO) have the authority to ask for agency declassification plans?
Yes. Under Executive Order 12958, as amended, the Director of the Information Security Oversight Office has the authority to "conduct on-site reviews of each agency's program established under this order, and to require of each agency those reports, information, and other cooperation that may be necessary to fulfill its responsibilities." E.O. 12958, as amended, Section 5.2 (2) & (4).
Top of Page
  1. What agencies are required to submit an agency declassification plan to ISOO?
a. Agencies which have permanent records more than 25 years old that contain their own classified information must submit a declassification plan.
b. Agencies which have permanent records more than 25 years old that contain other agencies' classified information must report on how they will notify other agencies of the equities.
c. Agencies which do not have permanent records more than 25 years old that contain classified information must submit a negative response.
Top of Page
  1. How should an agency submit their agency declassification plan to ISOO?
Agencies can respond by e-mail (isoo@nara.gov), fax (202-219-5385), or mail or hand deliver to ISOO, Room 500, 700 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW, Washington, D.C. 20408. Telephone responses are not sufficient.
The response must reference the ISOO data call to the agency head of October 16, 2003, and may be submitted by whomever in the agency has the authority to respond for the agency head on this matter, usually the senior agency official designated under the Order.
Top of Page
  1. What format should an agency use for its response?
There is no standard format. One suggestion is to mirror the structure of ISOO's request for the information, providing responses in the same order. Most of the responses will be narrative.
Top of Page
  1. What if my agency needs an extension?
If your agency requires an extension, the agency head, or whoever has the authority to request an extension on behalf of the agency head, must submit a request in writing (either e-mail or letter) to the Director. The request must explain the reason for an extension, and a date certain by which the plan will be submitted to ISOO.
Top of Page
  1. What does ISOO mean by "agency information contained in records created by former Government officials not in the physical control of the agency"?
Many former officials have donated personal papers to non-government agencies, libraries, and universities and these records may need to be reviewed for declassification.
Top of Page
  1. All agencies with Original Classification Authorities have declassification authorities. Does ISOO want a list of all OCA and those who also have declassification authority?
Yes. All original classification authorities (OCAs) also have declassification authority. Please provide the number of OCAs for your agency plus list by position or title any additional declassification authorities beyond the OCAs, either internal or external to the agency.
Top of Page
  1. Does ISOO want an agency's estimates to include incoming referrals and outgoing referrals?
Yes. Items 2c and 2h of the Guidance for Agency Declassification Plans asks for that which is expected to be referred to other agencies by your agency; items 2d and 2i ask for that which is expected to be referred to your agency from other agencies.
Top of Page
  1. What records are covered in the declassification plan?
Only those records that are (1) are more than 25 years old (pre-1982) and (2) have been determined to have permanent historical value under title 44, United States Code.
Top of Page
  1. What does textual record mean?
Textual record means any written documents, either handwritten or typed, on a paper base.
Top of Page
  1. What if my agency is having trouble locating our records?
There are two places where you might seek assistance at the National Archives and Records Administration:
  1. Records management information can be found at http://www.archives.gov/records_management/index.html and
  2. Records storage information may be found at http://www.archives.gov/records_center_program/index.html.
Top of Page
Privacy and Use Accessibility Frequently Asked Questions Contact Us NARA Home Page NARA Address: 700 Pennsylvania Avenue NW, Washington, DC, 20408, Telephone: 1-86-NARA-NARA or 1-866-272-6272