Classes of FBI Records in the National Archives

A complete list of the classes of records can be found on the FBI's website. As of January 2014, the National Archives holds case files from the classes of records listed below. Clicking on the title will lead you to a description of that class. In addition to those from Headquarters, the records include files from Field Offices. In general, the records consist of case files closed before 1985, although at this time, NARA has not yet accessioned all case files from all classifications that are designated as permanent. Even if a case was closed before that date, it might not be in the National Archives. Not all FBI files are designated for preservation and the case in which you are interested may have been destroyed under the authority of an approved records disposition schedule.

For the most part, these records are available for use only at the National Archives at College Park. The FBI has placed images of some case files online, including for some records that have been subsequently transferred to the National Archives.

While some of the records have been declassified and are available for use by researchers, most of the records require declassification and review for otherwise restricted information before they can be made available. You must, therefore, contact the National Archives before visiting.

1 - Training Matters
2 - Neutrality Matters
3 - Overthrow or Destruction of the Government
7 - Kidnapping
9 - Extortion
15 - Theft from Interstate Shipment
17 - Fraud Against the Government -- Veterans Administration
18 - May Act
19 - Censorship Matters
20 - Federal Grain Standards Act
22 -National Motor Vehicle Traffic Act
23 - Prohibition
25 - Selective Service Act
26 - Interstate Transportation of Stolen Motor Vehicle or Aircraft
27 - Patent Matters
28 - Copyright Matters
29 - Bank Fraud and Embezzlement
31 - White Slave Traffic Act
32 - Identification (Fingerprint Matters)
34 - Violation of Lacy Act
35 - Civil Service
36 - Mail Fraud
37 - False Claim Against the Government
38 - Application for Pardon to Restore Civil Rights
39 - Falsely Claiming Citizenship
40 - Passport and Visa Matters
41 - Explosives
42 - Deserters
43 - Illegal Wearing of Uniform or Decorations
44 - Civil Rights (Racial Violence or Discrimination)
45 - Crimes of the High Seas
46 - Fraud Against the Government - Renegotiation Act - Civil Suits; False Claims - Civil Suits
50 - Involuntary Servitude and Slavery
52 - Government Property - Theft, Robbery, Embezzlement, Illegal Possession, Destruction
54 - Customs Laws and Smuggling
57 - War Labor Dispute Act
61 - Treason
62 - Administrative Inquiries (Miscellaneous Subversive and Non-Subversive)
63 - Miscellaneous Non-Subversive
64 - Foreign Miscellaneous
65 - Espionage
67 - Bureau Applicant Matters
72 - Obstruction of Justice
73 - Application for Pardon after Completion of Sentence
74 - Perjury
77 - Background Investigations (Non-FBI)
81 - Gold Hoarding
84 - Reconstruction Finance Corporation Act
87 - Interstate Transportation of Stolen Property
88 - Unlawful Flight to Avoid Prosecution
89 - Assaulting, Killing or Attempting to Kill a Federal Officer, etc.
91 - Bank Robbery
93 - Ascertaining Financial Ability
94 - Research Matters and General Correspondence
95 - Laboratory Investigative Services
96 - Alien Applicants
97 - Registration Act
98 - Sabotage
99 - Plant Survey
100 - Domestic Security
101 - Hatch Act
102 - Voorhis Act
104 - Servicemen's Dependents Allowance Act of 1942
105 - Foreign Counterintelligence
106 - Alien Enemy Control
107 - Denaturalization Proceedings
108 - Foreign Travel Control
109 - Foreign Political Matters
110 - Foreign Economic Matters
111 - Foreign Social Conditions
112 - Foreign Funds
113 - Foreign Military and Naval Matters
114 - Alien Property Custodian Matters
116 - Atomic Energy Act - Applicant
117 - Atomic Energy Act - Criminal
121 - Loyalty of Government Employees
123 - Special Inquiry: Department of State, Voice of America
124 - European Recovery Program
134 - Foreign Counterintelligence Assets
138 - Loyalty of Employees of International Organizations
140 - Security of Government Employees
151 - Referral Cases from Office of Personnel Management - Applicant Loyalty
157 - Civil Unrest
161 - Special Inquiries for White House, Congressional Committees and Other Government Agencies
163 - Foreign Police Cooperation
164 - Crime Aboard Aircraft
173 - Civil Rights Act of 1964
176 - Anti-Riot Laws
177 - Discrimination in Housing
185 - Protection of Foreign Officials and Official Guests of the US
199 - Foreign Counterintelligence - Terrorism
201 - Foreign Counterintelligence - Satellites
203 - Foreign Counterintelligence - All Other Countries
216 - Foreign Counterintelligence Matters
218 - Foreign Counterintelligence Matters
319 - Administrative Records - Policy and Procedure Manuals
Compilation: Compilation: Classifications containing records released under the Nazi War Crimes and Japanese Imperial Government Disclosure Acts