---
kind: "section"
citation: "34 C.F.R. § 31.4"
title: "34"
number: "31.4"
heading: "Request to inspect and copy documents relating to a debt."
url: "https://uscodex.org/cfr/34/31.4"
---

# §31.4. Request to inspect and copy documents relating to a debt.

- (a) The Secretary makes available for inspection and copying before offset under this part those Department documents that relate to the debt, if the employee—
  - (1) Files a written request to inspect and copy the documents within 20 days of the date of the pre-offset notice under [§ 31.3](/cfr/34/31.3.md), and
  - (2) **Files the request at the address specified in that notice.**
- (b) A request filed under [paragraph (a)(1)](#a-1) of this section must contain—
  - (1) All information provided to the employee in the pre-offset notice under [§ 31.3](/cfr/34/31.3.md) that identifies the employee and the debt, including the employee's Social Security number and the program under which the debt arose, together with any corrections of that identifying information; and
  - (2) A reasonably specific identification of the documents that the employee wishes to have available for inspection and copying.
- (c) **The Secretary makes available documents for inspection and copying upon request by the employee.** However, the Secretary may initiate an offset before making the requested documents available if the employee fails to request inspection and copying in accordance with this section.

## Notes

### Authority

Authority: 5 U.S.C. 5514; 31 U.S.C. 3716.

### Source

Source: 54 FR 31821, Aug. 19, 1989, unless otherwise noted.