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National Archives and Records Administration (NARA)

U.S. federal agency that preserves and provides access to permanent government records, administers presidential libraries, sets records-management policy and publishes key legal documents.

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Overview

The National Archives and Records Administration (NARA) is the independent federal agency charged with preserving and providing public access to the permanently valuable records of the United States government. Its holdings range from founding documents and presidential records to routine administrative files, photographs, maps, and electronic records. NARA serves historians, legal professionals, journalists, genealogists and the general public by maintaining and explaining the documentary evidence of U.S. government actions.

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1930 Census Record at Naval Station Great Lakes
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Primary responsibilities

NARA's core functions include preserving permanent federal records; ensuring their accessibility; and setting standards and policies for records management across the federal government. The agency administers the Office of the Federal Register, which issues the Federal Register and helps maintain the codification of federal regulations. NARA also administers the Presidential Records Act framework that governs the custody and access of presidential records and supports the system of presidential libraries and museums.

Holdings and public services

NARA's collections include textual records, photographs, maps, audiovisual materials, and an expanding corpus of born-digital records. Services for the public include research rooms at regional facilities, online catalogs and digitization programs, reference and reproduction services, and routes to request military and veterans' records through its personnel records centers. Educational outreach, exhibitions and records-based publications help interpret holdings for diverse audiences.

Organization and facilities

The agency is led by the Archivist of the United States and is organized into headquarters offices, regional archives, research centers, conservation laboratories, and a network of presidential libraries. Major facilities include the National Archives building in Washington, D.C., and large archival centers that store federal records under controlled conditions to support preservation and access.

NARA was established by federal statute to centralize the preservation of permanent government records. Its responsibilities are shaped by statutes such as the Federal Records Act and the Presidential Records Act, as well as by regulations and executive guidance. Over time the agency has adapted to new technical and legal challenges, especially the long-term preservation and access of electronic records.

Contemporary challenges and priorities

Current priorities include large-scale digitization, improving online discovery and access, securing and preserving born-digital materials, and advising agencies on records management in cloud and email environments. The agency must balance transparency and public access with legal responsibilities for privacy, classified information, and sensitive personal data.

Role in government and public life

NARA functions as the official custodian of documentary evidence of federal actions. It preserves and makes available vital legal and historical documents, supports government accountability through records oversight, and provides enduring resources for research and civic understanding of American history and governance.

Buildings and exhibitions

Main building

Located just north of the National Mall on Pennsylvania Avenue, halfway between the White House and the Capitol in Washington, D.C., the National Archives building opened as the original headquarters in 1935. It houses original copies of the three most important founding documents of the United States: the Declaration of Independence, the Constitution of the United States, and the Bill of Rights. These documents are on display to the public in the main chamber of the National Archives. The chamber is also known as the Rotunda for the Charters of Freedom.

The main building also displays other important documents from United States history, such as the Louisiana Purchase Treaty and the Emancipation Proclamation, as well as a collection of photographs and other historically and culturally important artifacts.

The building was used as a backdrop for the 2004 film National Treasure starring Nicolas Cage. The staff entrance he used to enter the building is also in fact the entrance for staff and scientists.

National Archives in College Park

Due to space limitations, the National Archives opened a second building in College Park, Maryland in 1994. The National Archives also maintains twelve regional archives throughout the United States and two larger facilities in St. Louis, Missouri, which form the National Personnel Records Center. The main building in Washington, however, continues to hold a large collection of documents, such as the results of all U.S. censuses, passenger lists, military documents from the War of Independence through the Philippine-American War, Confederate government documents, and various land records.

Presidential Libraries

NARA also maintains the Presidential Libraries, a nationwide library network for preserving and accessing all presidential documents since Herbert C. Hoover. These libraries are also open to the public.

The main building of the National Archives in Washington, D.C.
The main building of the National Archives in Washington, D.C.
Document exhibition in the public exhibition area
Document exhibition in the public exhibition area

Other

Since 1988, NARA has had an Inspector General responsible for auditing and internal investigations. Paul Brachfeld has held the position since December 20, 1998.

Questions and answers

Q: What is the National Archives and Records Administration?

A: The National Archives and Records Administration (NARA) is a United States government agency responsible for preserving and documenting government and historical records.

Q: What is NARA's main responsibility with regards to documents?

A: NARA is responsible for maintaining and publishing the original copies of acts of Congress, presidential directives, and federal regulations.

Q: What other role does NARA have in informing the public?

A: NARA informs the public of the votes of the Electoral College to Congress.

Q: Why is it important that NARA retains historical records?

A: NARA retains historical records to preserve them for future generations and to promote accountability and transparency in government.

Q: Can people see the documents in the National Archive?

A: Yes, NARA is in charge of making it easier for people to see the documents which make up the National Archive.

Q: How does NARA make it easier for people to access the National Archive documents?

A: NARA makes it easier for people to see the National Archive documents by providing online access, offering research services, and maintaining physical facilities across the US.

Q: What types of documents does NARA take charge of?

A: NARA takes charge of government and historical records, including acts of Congress, presidential directives, federal regulations, and more.

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