The National Archives Asks Which Government Files Can Go
Published Date: 11/2/2026
Notice
Summary
The National Archives is sharing new plans from federal agencies about which old records they want to toss. They’re asking the public to check out these plans and share thoughts by December 17, 2026. This helps keep government files tidy without losing important info, and it affects anyone interested in how government records are managed.
Analyzed Economic Effects
2 provisions identified: 0 benefits, 1 costs, 1 mixed.
Some federal records may be retained or destroyed
Agencies have submitted proposed schedules (including items such as Department of State: Permanent Missions to the United Nations list; Department of the Treasury: Benefits Administration oversight records; CIA: Civil Liberties Complaint Records; Veterans Health Administration: Patient Advocacy and Sterile Processing Services) that, after review and approval by the Archivist, authorize agencies to preserve records in the National Archives or to destroy them after a specified period. Agencies may not destroy Federal records without the Archivist's approval; public review and comment are part of the Archivist's consideration.
Public comment period with privacy note
You can review and comment on proposed federal records schedules on regulations.gov, and NARA must receive comments by December 17, 2026. All comments (including any personal information and attachments) will be posted to the public docket unchanged, so you should not include confidential information in your comment.
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Key Dates
Department and Agencies
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