---
kind: "section"
citation: "44 U.S.C. § 3105"
title: "44"
title_heading: "Public Printing and Documents"
number: "3105"
heading: "Safeguards"
release: "119-102"
date: "2026-07-12"
url: "https://uscodex.org/usc/44/3105"
units:
  - "Chapter 31 — Records Management by Federal Agencies"
---

# §3105. Safeguards


The head of each [Federal agency](/usc/44/2901.md?p=14) shall establish safeguards against the removal or loss of [records](/usc/44/2901.md?p=1) the head of such agency determines to be necessary and required by regulations of the [Archivist](/usc/44/2901.md?p=12). Safeguards shall include making it known to officials and employees of the agency—

- (1) that [records](/usc/44/2901.md?p=1) in the custody of the agency are not to be alienated or destroyed except in accordance with sections 3301–3314 of this title, and
- (2) the penalties provided by law for the unlawful removal or destruction of [records](/usc/44/2901.md?p=1).

## Source credit

(Pub. L. 90–620, Oct. 22, 1968, 82 Stat. 1298; Pub. L. 98–497, title I, § 107(b)(22), Oct. 19, 1984, 98 Stat. 2290; Pub. L. 113–187, § 8(11), Nov. 26, 2014, 128 Stat. 2012.)

## Notes

### Historical and Revision Notes

Based on 44 U.S. Code, 1964 ed., § 396(e) (June 30, 1949, ch. 288, title V, § 506(e), as added Sept. 5, 1950, ch. 849, § 6(d), 64 Stat. 583).

### Editorial Notes

### References in Text

Sections 3304 to 3307 of this title, included in the reference in par. (1) to sections 3301 to 3314 of this title, were repealed by Pub. L. 91–287, § 2(c), June 23, 1970, 84 Stat. 321.

### Amendments

2014—Pub. L. 113–187 substituted “the head of such agency” for “he” in introductory provisions.

1984—Pub. L. 98–497 substituted “Archivist” for “Administrator of General Services”.

### 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.