Title 44 — Public Printing and DocumentsRelease 119-73
§3311 Destruction of records outside continental United States in time of war or when hostile action seems imminent; written report to Archivist
Title 44 › Chapter CHAPTER 33— - DISPOSAL OF RECORDS › § 3311
Summary
In war or when attack is imminent, a U.S. agency head may destroy records kept outside the continental U.S. at military or naval sites if keeping them would harm U.S. interests or they take up space urgently needed for military use and lack value.
Full Legal Text
Title 44, §3311
Public Printing and Documents — Source: USLM XML via OLRC
During a state of war between the United States and another nation, or when hostile action by a foreign power appears imminent, the head of an agency of the United States Government may authorize the destruction of records in his legal custody situated in a military or naval establishment, ship, or other depository outside the territorial limits of continental United States—
(1)the retention of which would be prejudicial to the interests of the United States or
(2)which occupy space urgently needed for military purposes and are, in his opinion, without sufficient administrative, legal, research, or other value to warrant their continued preservation.
Legislative History
Notes & Related Subsidiaries
Historical and Revision Notes
Based on 44 U.S. Code, 1964 ed., § 376 (
July 7, 1943, ch. 192, § 11, 57 Stat. 382;
June 30, 1949, ch. 288, title I, § 104(a), 63 Stat. 381).
Editorial Notes
Amendments
1984—Pub. L. 98–497 substituted “Archivist” for “Administrator of General Services” in section catchline and text.
Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries
Effective Date
of 1984 AmendmentAmendment 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.
Reference
Citations & Metadata
Citation
44 U.S.C. § 3311
Title 44 — Public Printing and Documents
Last Updated
Apr 6, 2026
Release point: 119-73