---
kind: "section"
citation: "5 C.F.R. § 1312.23"
title: "5"
number: "1312.23"
heading: "Access to classified information."
url: "https://uscodex.org/cfr/5/1312.23"
---

# §1312.23. Access to classified information.


Classified information may be made available to a person only when the possessor of the information establishes that the person has a valid “need to know” and the access is essential to the accomplishment of official government duties. The proposed recipient is eligible to receive classified information only after he/she has been granted a security clearance by the EOP Security Officer. Cover sheets will be used to protect classified documents from inadvertent disclosure while in use. An SF-703 will be used for Top Secret material; an SF-704 for Secret material, and an SF-705 for Confidential material. The cover sheet should be removed prior to placing the document in the files.


## Notes

### Authority

Authority: Executive Order 12958, April 20, 1995, 3 CFR, 1995 Comp., p. 333.

### Source

Source: 62 FR 25426, May 9, 1997, unless otherwise noted.