AC 13. 2023

January 4, 2023  

Memorandum to Federal Records Management Contacts: Rescinding FAQ About Changes to Previously Approved Schedule Items

The National Archives and Records Administration (NARA) is rescinding “Frequently Asked Questions About Changes to Previously Approved Schedule Items” effective immediately. The FAQ provided information to agencies on how to make limited changes to agency records schedules. These changes, frequently referred to as “pen-and-ink” changes, would update the wording on records schedules but did not affect the retention or disposition of the records. However, from now on, any modifications to records schedules must be submitted through the regular scheduling process as a new records disposition request. 

NARA has determined that we can no longer support changes to schedule items through a process other than records scheduling. Many factors informed this decision, including the OMB/NARA requirements to transition to fully electronic recordkeeping, the implementation of born-digital records schedule dossiers, changes to the ERA system, and review of our existing procedures, 

NARA will finish processing any currently pending change requests. All previously approved records schedules changes processed under the FAQ steps will remain valid. 

If you have any questions about your previously approved schedules, contact your agency records officer or your NARA appraiser. Please refer to the NARA Records Management Contacts list on our website.

LAURENCE BREWER   
Chief Records Officer 
for the U.S. Government