---
kind: "section"
citation: "44 U.S.C. § 2205"
title: "44"
title_heading: "Public Printing and Documents"
number: "2205"
heading: "Exceptions to restricted access"
release: "119-102"
date: "2026-07-12"
url: "https://uscodex.org/usc/44/2205"
units:
  - "Chapter 22 — Presidential Records"
---

# §2205. Exceptions to restricted access


Notwithstanding any restrictions on access imposed pursuant to sections [2204](/usc/44/2204.md) and [2208](/usc/44/2208.md) of this title—

- (1) the [Archivist](/usc/44/2201.md?p=4) and persons employed by the National Archives and [Records](/usc/44/2901.md?p=1) Administration who are engaged in the performance of normal archival work shall be permitted access to [Presidential records](/usc/44/2201.md?p=2) in the custody of the [Archivist](/usc/44/2201.md?p=4);
- (2) subject to any rights, defenses, or privileges which the United States or any agency or person may invoke, [Presidential records](/usc/44/2201.md?p=2) shall be made available—
  - (A) pursuant to subpoena or other judicial process issued by a court of competent jurisdiction for the purposes of any civil or criminal investigation or proceeding;
  - (B) to an incumbent President if such [records](/usc/44/2901.md?p=1) contain information that is needed for the conduct of current business of the incumbent President’s office and that is not otherwise available; and
  - (C) to either House of Congress, or, to the extent of matter within its jurisdiction, to any committee or subcommittee thereof if such [records](/usc/44/2901.md?p=1) contain information that is needed for the conduct of its business and that is not otherwise available; and
- (3) the [Presidential records](/usc/44/2201.md?p=2) of a [former President](/usc/44/2201.md?p=5) shall be available to such [former President](/usc/44/2201.md?p=5) or the [former President](/usc/44/2201.md?p=5)’s designated representative.

## Source credit

(Added Pub. L. 95–591, § 2(a), Nov. 4, 1978, 92 Stat. 2527; amended Pub. L. 98–497, title I, § 107(b)(7), Oct. 19, 1984, 98 Stat. 2287; Pub. L. 113–187, §§ 2(a)(2)(B), 8(5), Nov. 26, 2014, 128 Stat. 2005, 2012.)

## Notes

### Editorial Notes

### Amendments

2014—Pub. L. 113–187, § 2(a)(2)(B)(i), substituted “sections 2204 and 2208 of this title” for “section 2204” in introductory provisions.

Par. (2)(A). Pub. L. 113–187, § 2(a)(2)(B)(ii), substituted “subpoena” for “subpena”.

Par. (2)(B). Pub. L. 113–187, § 8(5)(A), substituted “the incumbent President’s” for “his”.

Par. (3). Pub. L. 113–187, § 8(5)(B), substituted “the former President’s” for “his”.

1984—Par. (1). Pub. L. 98–497 substituted “National Archives and Records Administration” for “National Archives and Records Service of the General Services Administration”.

### Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries

### Effective Date of 1984 Amendment

Amendment by Pub. L. 98–497 effective Apr. 1, 1985, see section 301 of Pub. L. 98–497, set out as a note under section 2102 of this title.

### Effective Date

Section effective with respect to Presidential records created during a term of office of President beginning on or after Jan. 20, 1981, see section 3 of Pub. L. 95–591, set out as a note under section 2201 of this title.