§ 1256.4 - How does NARA handle subpoenas and other legal demands for records in its custody?

(a) For records stored in a Federal records center, NARA honors a subpoena duces tecum (subpoena) or other legal demand for the production of agency records, to the extent required by law, if the agency that retired the records has not imposed any restrictions. If the agency has imposed restrictions, NARA notifies the authority issuing the subpoena or other legal demand that NARA abides by the agency-imposed restrictions and refers the authority to the agency for further action.

(b) The Archivist of the United States, the General Counsel (NGC) or his or her designee, and the Director of the FRC where the records are stored are the only NARA officials authorized to accept a subpoena or other legal demand for records transferred to an FRC.

(c) The Archivist of the United States, the General Counsel (NGC) or his or her designee, the appropriate Assistant Archivist, Regional Administrator, or Director of a Presidential library are the only NARA officials who may be served a subpoena duces tecum or other legal demand for the production of documents designated as Federal archival records or donated historical materials administered by NARA.