Legal Definitions - National Archives and Records Administration

National Archives and Records Administration (NARA)

The National Archives and Records Administration, often referred to as NARA, is an independent agency of the U.S. federal government. Its primary role is to preserve and provide public access to government records and historical documents. NARA establishes the rules and procedures for how federal agencies manage their records, assists them in doing so, stores vast collections of these records, and oversees the system of Presidential Libraries.

Here are some examples illustrating the functions of NARA:

• Imagine a genealogist researching their family history who discovers an ancestor served in World War II. To find official military service records, enlistment papers, or discharge documents, they would likely submit a request to NARA. This illustrates NARA's role in providing record-storage access and preserving vital historical information for public use.

• Consider a federal agency, such as the Department of Energy, that generates millions of emails, reports, and scientific data files annually. NARA provides the guidelines and standards for how this agency must classify, retain, and eventually transfer these records for long-term preservation or destruction. This demonstrates NARA's function in setting procedures for managing governmental records and helping federal agencies manage their records effectively.

• A university student is writing a thesis on the foreign policy decisions of a specific U.S. President from the late 20th century. To access the President's personal papers, official correspondence, and artifacts from their time in office, the student would visit the relevant Presidential Library. This highlights NARA's responsibility for managing the Presidential Libraries system, which serves as a repository for the records and legacies of former presidents.