Privacy Act Issuances: 2007

The Office of the Federal Register (OFR) biennially compiles and publishes The Privacy Act Compilation, as directed by the Privacy Act of 1974. The current 2007 edition of the Privacy Act Compilation is posted on FederalRegister.gov, a GPO Access system website maintained by the OFR and the U.S. Government Printing Office (GPO) as an e-Government service of the NARA/GPO partnership. Documents are available as HTML files.

The Privacy Act Compilation consists of:

  • Descriptions of systems of records maintained on individuals by Federal agencies and agency recordkeeping policies and practices as published in the Federal Register;
  • Agency rules of procedure for individuals requesting information about their records, as codified in the Code of Federal Regulations; and
  • Computer matching notices, as issued under the Computer Matching and Privacy Protection Act of 1988, Public Law 100-503. Computer matching notices are appearing for the first time in this edition of the Privacy Act Compilation and only include those notices published in the Federal Register between January 3, 2006 and December 31, 2007.

How to Use this Compilation

Identify the system you think may contain information about you and the agency that maintains those records.

  • Records can be searched by agency name, and then further by the title of each individual record system.
  • Exceptions: Department of Agriculture and Department of Defense record systems cannot be searched by title due to the large quantity.
    • For Agriculture, search records by sub-agency or office.
    • For Defense, search by sub-agency or office, and then further by subject series.

Read the agency's regulations following its systems of records to determine the procedures that must be followed to obtain information from that agency.

Cutoff Dates

This compilation reflects rules and notices of systems of records in effect as of December 31, 2007, unless otherwise noted.

For the most recent updates to systems of records notices, refer to the daily Federal Register. For the most recent updates to Privacy Act regulations, refer to the daily Federal Register or Electronic Code of Federal Regulations.

Prior Editions

For Privacy Act Compilations spanning the years 1995 to 2005, see the Privacy Act pages on GPO Access. Documents are available as ASCII text files.

The Privacy Act Compilation was published first published in 1976.  Prior to 2001, the Compilation was published in five volumes, distributed by the U.S. Government Printing Office (GPO), and made available to Federal depository libraries nationwide.

Related Publications Available from GPO

More about the Privacy Act

The Privacy Act provides safeguards against Federal agencies’ misuse of records and unwarranted invasions of privacy by:

  • Restricting disclosure of personally identifiable records maintained by agencies;
  • Granting individuals increased rights of access to records maintained about them;
  • Granting individuals the right to seek amendment of records maintained about them upon a showing that the records are not accurate, relevant, timely or complete; and
  • Establishing a code of "fair information practices" which requires agencies to comply with statutory norms for collection, maintenance, use and dissemination of records.

Information You Cannot Get

There are limitations to the kind of information you can get. The agency may refuse to let you see information that:

Relates to national security;

Could reveal a confidential source; or

Could be used to give people an unfair advantage on a government examination.

Generally, an agency's system notices (description of its systems of records) and its regulations will describe that agency's limitations on release of information.

Some General Requirements

How to Make a Request

In most cases you can inquire in person or by mail. It will be easier for the agency to help you, and your request will be handled more quickly, if you follow these procedures:

1. Give your full name and address, and sign your request.
2. Specify the system(s) of records you believe contain information about you.
3. Provide the relevant information required by the system you are interested in. For example, if you are inquiring about any contract you have had with the Government (loan application, contract, grant application, etc.), give the date and subject matter, and any identifying numbers that appear on documents you received.
4. Address your request to the person and address given in the system entry.
5. Print the words "PRIVACY ACT REQUEST" on the front of the envelope.

Proof of Identity

Some agencies may need some proof of identity such as:

1. A document with your full name and address.
2. A document that has your signature and/or your photograph such as a passport, Medicare card, driver's license, or military id.
3. Any other identification specified in the system entry or regulations. If your request is by mail, you should include copies of whatever documents the agency requires to prove your identity. There is a penalty for making false statements.

Fees

The agency may charge you a fee for a copy of your records, but they may not charge you for the time and expense of locating them. The agency's rules usually state the fee amount.

General Inquiries

This volume was edited by Amelia Otovo and Ken Payne under the direction of Michael White, Managing Editor of the Federal Register.

For further information concerning the technical aspects of this volume, call (202) 741–6000, or e-mail fedreg.info@nara.gov. Written comments or suggestions should be addressed to the Director, Office of the Federal Register (NF), The National Archives and Records Administration, 8601 Adelphi Road, College Park, MD 20740-6001.

Raymond Mosley,
Director, Office of the Federal Register.