Presidential Records and Federal Records Guidance

Presidential Records

The National Archives has posted the 2016 version of its “ Guidance on Presidential Records,” which we have prepared for every incoming administration since 2000. The document provides basic background information on the Presidential Records Act (PRA) of 1978, as amended, 44 U.S.C. §§ 2201-2209; how the National Archives implements the PRA; and how we assist the White House in managing its records under the PRA.

Guidance on Federal Records

The National Archives and Records Administration (NARA) is the nation’s record keeper. In this role, we are responsible for the administration of the Federal Records Act (FRA), 44 U.S.C. Chapters 21, 29, 31, and 33. The Federal Records Act governs agencies’ records management responsibilities. Core among these is the responsibility to schedule all Federal records, including web content and data sets. These requirements and responsibilities are discussed in detail in NARA’s web guidance. NARA’s Office of the Chief Records Officer issued a memorandum in late December ( AC 19.2017) to remind agencies of their ongoing responsibility to manage Federal records on their websites. An additional reminder with regard to Federal agencies’ records management of social media and electronic messaging was posted Jan. 27, 2017 on NARA’s Records Express blog.