Records Scheduling and Appraisal

What is Records Scheduling and Appraisal?

Agencies may not dispose of their records without approval from the Archivist of the United States. They get approval by submitting a record schedule to NARA. 

An approved records schedule is a legal authority. It identifies and allows for disposal of a federal agency's records. A records schedule describes:

• The informational content and formats of records 
• The context or function of the records
• Whether and when an agency may destroy its records; or 
• Whether and when the agency must transfer the records to the National Archives for permanent preservation.

These schedules are appraised by staff in the Records Management Services division of the Office of the Chief Records Officer. Appraisal is the process by which NARA evaluates records to determine their final disposition. We identify records as either temporary (may be destroyed by the agency) or permanent (must be transferred to NARA). 

Look up your agency’s assigned NARA appraiser