9/11 Commission Records

The National Commission on Terrorist Attacks Upon the United States, known as the 9/11 Commission, was an independent, bipartisan commission created by Congress. The Commission's mandate was to provide a "full and complete accounting" of the attacks of September 11, 2001 and to provide recommendations as to how to prevent such attacks in the future. The Commission, existing from 2003 - 2004, held hearings, conducted interviews, and produced a report.

When the 9/11 Commission closed on August 21, 2004, it transferred legal custody of its records to the National Archives and Records Administration (NARA). The Commission encouraged the release of its records to the fullest extent possible in January 2009. Because the Commission was part of the legislative branch its records are not subject to the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA).

There is approximately 570 cubic feet of textual records. A large percentage of the Commission's records are national security classified files. The unreleased portion of the records are processed as documents are requested. NARA maintains a list of documents released since the records were opened in 2009.

For more information, visit our Frequently Asked Questions on the 9/11 Commission Records.

Online Resources for the 9/11 Commission Records

The 9/11 Commission Series

• Memorandums for the Record (MFR)
  During its investigation, the commission staff conducted over 1200 fact-finding interviews-the MFRs are summaries of these interviews. This series is available online.
• Other 9/11 Commission Series

9/11 Commission Website
The commission's website is preserved as it appeared on August 21, 2004, when the commission closed its doors. It remains accessible, but no data can be added, deleted, or altered. The website contains a variety of information including staff monographs and staff statements, commissioner and staff biographies, the final report, hearing transcripts and video, lists of witnesses, press releases, and other resources.