# 36 CFR § 1202.40: How can I gain access to NARA records about myself?

> Federal · Regulations · In force

URL: https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/ecfr-36-1202.40

## Section

- **Citation:** 36 CFR § 1202.40
- **Heading:** How can I gain access to NARA records about myself?
- **Jurisdiction:** Federal
- **Kind:** Regulations
- **Status:** In force
- **Text as of:** September 22, 2026
- **Source:** Publisher's official text
- **Location:** Title 36—Parks, Forests, and Public Property > CHAPTER XII—NATIONAL ARCHIVES AND RECORDS ADMINISTRATION > SUBCHAPTER A—GENERAL RULES > PART 1202—REGULATIONS IMPLEMENTING THE PRIVACY ACT OF 1974 > Subpart C—Individual Access to Records

## Text

(a) If you wish to request access to information about yourself contained in a NARA Privacy Act system of records, you may do so in writing or electronically.
(1) Written requests must be directed to the NARA Privacy Act Officer, National Archives and Records Administration, Rm. 3110, 8601 Adelphi Rd., College Park, MD 20740-6001. Your request should be clearly marked on the letter and the envelope as a “Privacy Act Request.”
(2) Electronic requests may be initiated online at https://www.archives.gov/privacy.
(b) If you wish to allow another person to review or obtain a copy of your record, you must provide authorization in writing or electronically for that person to obtain access as part of your request.
(c) Your request must contain:
(1) The complete name and identifying number of the NARA system as published in the Federal Register;
(2) A brief description of the nature, time, place, and circumstances of your association with NARA;
(3) Any other information which you believe would help NARA to determine whether the information about you is included in the system of records;
(4) If you are authorizing another individual to have access to your records, the name of that person; and
(5) A Privacy Act certification of identity. When you make a request for access to records about yourself, you must verify your identity.
(i) If you are submitting a written request, you must sign your request and your signature must either be notarized or submitted by you under 28 U.S.C. 1746, a law that permits statements to be made under penalty of perjury as a substitute for notarization. While no specific form is required, you may obtain a Certification of Identity form for this purpose from the NARA Privacy Act Officer. The following information is required:
(A) Your full name;
(B) An acknowledgment that you understand the criminal penalty in the Privacy Act for requesting or obtaining access to records under false pretenses (5 U.S.C. 552a(i)(3)); and
(C) A declaration that your statement is true and correct under penalty of perjury (18 U.S.C. 1001).
(ii) If you are submitting an electronic request, you must provide an electronically signed statement on the electronic form. The statement affirms your identity and the fact that you understand penalties associated with requesting information under false pretenses.
(d) The procedure for accessing an accounting of disclosure is identical to the procedure for access to a record as set forth in this section.
[89 FR 16698, Mar. 8, 2024]

## Nearby sections

- [36 CFR § 1202.1 § 1202.1 What does this part cover?](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/ecfr-36-1202.1.md)
- [36 CFR § 1202.2 § 1202.2 What this part does not cover.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/ecfr-36-1202.2.md)
- [36 CFR § 1202.4 § 1202.4 Definitions.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/ecfr-36-1202.4.md)
- [36 CFR § 1202.6 § 1202.6 Whom should I contact for Privacy Act matters at NARA?](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/ecfr-36-1202.6.md)
- [36 CFR § 1202.8 § 1202.8 How does NARA handle records that are in Government-wide Privacy Act systems?](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/ecfr-36-1202.8.md)
- [36 CFR § 1202.10 § 1202.10 Does NARA handle access to and disclosure of records of defunct agencies in the custody of NARA?](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/ecfr-36-1202.10.md)
- [36 CFR § 1202.18 § 1202.18 How does NARA collect information about individuals?](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/ecfr-36-1202.18.md)
- [36 CFR § 1202.20 § 1202.20 What advisory information does NARA provide before collecting information from me?](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/ecfr-36-1202.20.md)
- [36 CFR § 1202.22 § 1202.22 Will NARA need my Social Security Number?](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/ecfr-36-1202.22.md)
- [36 CFR § 1202.24 § 1202.24 Will NARA ever request information about me from someone else?](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/ecfr-36-1202.24.md)
- [36 CFR § 1202.26 § 1202.26 Who will make sure that my record is accurate?](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/ecfr-36-1202.26.md)
- [36 CFR § 1202.28 § 1202.28 What rules do NARA employees follow in managing personal information?](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/ecfr-36-1202.28.md)
- [36 CFR § 1202.30 § 1202.30 How does NARA safeguard its systems of records?](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/ecfr-36-1202.30.md)
- [36 CFR § 1202.40 § 1202.40 How can I gain access to NARA records about myself?](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/ecfr-36-1202.40.md)

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Source: Frix Law Library, https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/ecfr-36-1202.40. Check the current official text before relying on it. Not legal advice.