Title 44, Public Printing and DocumentsRelease 119-102
§3105 Safeguards
Title 44 › CHAPTER 31 — RECORDS MANAGEMENT BY FEDERAL AGENCIES › § 3105
Summary
Agency heads must protect records the Archivist requires from being lost or removed. They must tell staff that records can only be disposed of under sections 3301–3314 and that illegal removal or destruction carries penalties.
Full Legal Text
Title 44, §3105
Public Printing and Documents, Source: USLM XML via OLRC
The head of each Federal agency shall establish safeguards against the removal or loss of records the head of such agency determines to be necessary and required by regulations of the Archivist. Safeguards shall include making it known to officials and employees of the agency—
(1)that records in the custody of the agency are not to be alienated or destroyed except in accordance with section 3301–3314 of this title, and
(2)the penalties provided by law for the unlawful removal or destruction of records.
Legislative History
Notes & Related Subsidiaries
Historical and Revision Notes
Based on 44 U.S. Code, 1964 ed., § 396(e) (June 30, 1949, ch. 288, title V, § 506(e), as added Sept. 5, 1950, ch. 849, § 6(d), 64 Stat. 583).
Editorial Notes
References in Text
Sections 3304 to 3307 of this title, included in the reference in par. (1) to sections 3301 to 3314 of this title, were repealed by Pub. L. 91–287, § 2(c), June 23, 1970, 84 Stat. 321.
Amendments
2014—Pub. L. 113–187 substituted “the head of such agency” for “he” in introductory provisions. 1984—Pub. L. 98–497 substituted “Archivist” for “Administrator of General Services”.
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. § 3105
Title 44, Public Printing and Documents
Last Updated
Aug 21, 2026
Release point: 119-102