---
kind: "section"
citation: "36 C.F.R. § 1256.20"
title: "36"
number: "1256.20"
heading: "May I obtain access to Federal archival records?"
url: "https://uscodex.org/cfr/36/1256.20"
---

# §1256.20. May I obtain access to Federal archival records?

- (a) Most Federal archival records are open for research without submitting a Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) request. [Part 1254](/cfr/36/part1254.md) specifies procedures for using unrestricted records in a NARA research room, submitting reference requests, and ordering copies of records.
- (b) Some records are subject to restrictions prescribed by statute, Executive Order, or by restrictions specified in writing in accordance with [44 U.S.C. 2108](/usc/44/2108.md) by the agency that transferred the records to the National Archives of the United States. All agency-specified restrictions must comply with the FOIA. Even if the records are not national-security classified, we must screen some records for other information exempt from release under the FOIA.

## Notes

### Authority

Authority: 44 U.S.C. 2101-2118; 22 U.S.C. 1461(b); 5 U.S.C. 552; E.O. 12958 (60 FR 19825, 3 CFR, 1995 Comp., p. 333; E.O. 13292, 68 FR 15315, 3 CFR, 2003 Comp., p. 196; E.O. 13233, 66 FR 56023, 3 CFR, 2001 Comp., p. 815.

### Source

Source: 69 FR 39325, June 30, 2004, unless otherwise noted.