---
kind: "section"
citation: "36 C.F.R. § 1120.26"
title: "36"
number: "1120.26"
heading: "Deficient descriptions."
url: "https://uscodex.org/cfr/36/1120.26"
---

# §1120.26. Deficient descriptions.

- (a) If the description of the records sought in the request is not sufficient to allow the A&TBCB to identify and locate the requested records, the office taking action under [§ 1120.32](/cfr/36/1120.32.md) must notify the requestor (by telephone when practicable) that the request cannot be further processed until additional information is furnished.
- (b) The A&TBCB must make every reasonable effort to assist the requestor in formulating his or her request. If a request is described in general terms (e.g., all records having to do with a certain area), the A&TBCB office taking action under [§ 1120.32](/cfr/36/1120.32.md) may communicate with the requestor (by telephone when practicable) with a view toward reducing the administrative burden of processing a broad request and minimizing the fee payable by the requestor. Such attempts must not be used as a means to discourage requests, but rather as a means to help identify with more specificity the records actually sought.

## Notes

### Authority

Authority: 5 U.S.C. 552, the Freedom of Information Act, as amended.

### Source

Source: 45 FR 80976, Dec. 8, 1980, unless otherwise noted.