UNCLASSIFIED
Intelligence Community Classification
and Control Markings
Implementation
Counterintelligence and Security
Awareness Training Team
301-227-2795
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UNCLASSIFIED
This briefing is UNCLASSIFIED. Any
markings contained in this briefing are for
training purposes only.
Click mouse to move to next slide.
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UNCLASSIFIED
U.S. INTELLIGENCE
COMMUNITY
The Intelligence Community and the Department of Defense (DoD)
increasingly depend upon machine based processing of
intelligence information. Consequently we need standardized
machine-readable security markings to facilitate interoperability
and improved Information Security processes. The government
moved closer to this goal of interoperability and greater protection
of intelligence information with the approval of a standard
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Classification and Control Markings Register.
UNCLASSIFIED
The 30 June 1998 signing of DCID 1/7 mandated a new classification
marking system for the Intelligence Community and the Department
of Defense. This system uses a uniform list of security
classification and control markings authorized for all dissemination
of classified information by components of the United States
Government. This list comprises the Control Markings Register.
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AuthorizedUNCLASSIFIED
Classification and
Control Markings Register
• Compiles authorized marking and abbreviations
- Omits agency-unique markings
- Omits sensitive markings
The Control Markings Register was approved by senior managers of each
Intelligence Community agency. It is maintained by the Controlled Access
Program Coordination Office (CAPCO) of the Community Management Staff
(CMS). The register’s use is mandated by the revised DCID 1/7 which was
signed June 30, 1998. It includes a list of the authorized terms that may be
used to mark classified materials and also prescribes the exact format for their
display. Omitted from the register are certain agency-unique and sensitive
markings.
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AuthorizedUNCLASSIFIED
Classification and
Control Markings Register
•Softcopy Location - DIA homepage/DIA Security Information
- http://www.cms.ic.gov/capco (Intelink TS)
- http://www.cms.cia.sgov/capco (Intelink S)
The Authorized Classifications and Control Markings Register and the
Intelligence Community Classification and Control Markings Implementation
Manual is available at several locations including the CAPCO home page on
Intelink.
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UNCLASSIFIED
Background
One of the findings of a 1996 senior manager’s
meeting was that every government agency had their own
method for marking classified information. This did not
present a problem in the past because agencies tended to
create, mark, and use information within their agency.
However, as we moved toward an age of greater
cooperation between agencies it became evident that a
more uniform method of marking classified information
was required. Congress called for greater
interoperability between government Automated
Information Systems and this was reflected in the
revised Director of Central Intelligence
Directive(DCID)signed on 30 June 1998. This DCID 1/7
called for the creation of a control markings register
that lists all the markings authorized to mark a
classified document.
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UNCLASSIFIED
Background
In an 8 September 1998 memorandum, the Director for
Intelligence Affairs created the Control Register Markings
Working Group. A group composed of representatives from
across the IC and DoD to create and implement the new
marking standard defined in DCID 1/7.
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UNCLASSIFIED
DCID 1/7
• Hard Copy -- 1 October 1999
– Word Processed/Hard Copy
– Web Pages
– Viewgraphs
– E-Mail Attachments
• AIS -- Early 2001
The new marking system is being implemented in two
phases. During Phase I, employees will apply the
markings to hard copy and word processed information
including memoranda, new WEB pages, presentations,
correspondence, spreadsheets, graphics, and email
attachments. Eventually, automated information
systems such as databases, cables, and software-driven
templates will be modified to support the new marking
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requirements.
UNCLASSIFIED
DEFENSE MESSAGING SYSTEM
•
•
•
•
Replaces DoD Message Systems
Fully Operational in early 2001
Full Interoperability
Mandates full compliance
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UNCLASSIFIED
IC Classification and Control
Markings Implementation Manual
TOP SECRET//COMINT-GAMMA/TK//FGI CAN GBR//RSEN,ORCON,REL TO USA, CAN and GBR//COMSEC//X1
Major Changes Include:
• Classification line includes up to seven categories of information
• Use slashes, hyphens, commas, and spaces as separators
• Three - letter country codes
• Marking unclassified documents
• This system uses three letter designations for country codes. The country codes
are extracted from the ISO 3166 Country Code Listing.
• It is optional to mark UNCLASSIFIED on the top and bottom of documents
which are UNCLASSIFIED and bear no other control markings, such as
FOUO.
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UNCLASSIFIED
IC Classification and Control
Markings Implementation Manual
TOP SECRET//COMINT-GAMMA/TK//FGI CAN GBR//RSEN,ORCON,REL TO USA, CAN and GBR//COMSEC//X1
Major Changes Include:
• Classification line includes up to seven categories of information
• Use slashes, hyphens, commas, and spaces as separators
• Three - letter country codes
• Marking unclassified documents
• The first change that you will notice under this new system is the
classification line at the top and bottom of each page of a
classified document or of an unclassified document which either
has other control markings or is being transmitted electronically.
All elements of the classification line and of the portion markings
always use uppercase letters.
• The different elements of the classification line are separated by
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slashes and further separated by hyphens, commas, and spaces.
UNCLASSIFIED
IC Classification
and Control
Markings Implementation Manual
TOP SECRET//COMINT-GAMMA/TK//FGI CAN GBR//RSEN,ORCON,REL TO USA, CAN and GBR//COMSEC//X1
1 -2
3
4
5
6
7
Seven Categories of Classification and Control Markings
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
U.S. Classification
Non-U.S. Classification
SCI Control System/Codeword
Foreign Government Information
Dissemination Controls
Non-Intelligence Community Markings
Declassification Date
The classification line may contain up to seven categories of information.
The specified U.S. classification or Non-U.S. classification portion of the
classification line at the top and bottom of the page must be spelled out in full
and in English and may not be abbreviated. Any other information included
on the classification line may be spelled out or abbreviated unless directed by
component policy.
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UNCLASSIFIED
General Guidance
TOP SECRET//COMINT-GAMMA/TK//FGI CAN GBR//RSEN,ORCON,REL TO USA, CAN and GBR//COMSEC//X1
• Classification Line -- Top and bottom
- All uppercase letters
- Classification spelled out
• Only fields that apply to material are
represented in classification line
• List markings in order shown in Registry and Manual
The classification line may contain up to seven categories of
information. The specified U.S. classification or Non-U.S.
classification portion of the classification line at the top and
bottom of the page must be spelled out in full and in English and
may not be abbreviated. Any other information included on the
classification line may be spelled out or abbreviated unless
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directed by component policy.
UNCLASSIFIED
General Guidance
TOP SECRET//COMINT-GAMMA/TK//FGI CAN GBR//RSEN,ORCON,REL TO USA, CAN and GBR//COMSEC//X1
• Categories (fields) separated by double right
slash (//)
• Limited to one entry in these fields:
- Classification
- Non-U.S. Classification
- Declassification Date
The pertinent caveats from each category in the Register form a field in
the classification line or portion marking. Fields are always separated by
a double right slash.
Only one entry may appear in the Classification and Declassification
Date fields.
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UNCLASSIFIED
General Guidance
TOP SECRET//COMINT-GAMMA/TK//FGI CAN GBR//RSEN,ORCON,REL TO USA, CAN and GBR//COMSEC//X1
Multiple entries in fields
• SCI control systems separated by single right slash (/)
• Codewords within system separated by hyphen (-) with no
interjected space
• Dissemination controls separated by a comma (,) with no
interjected space
• Non-Intel Community Markings separated by a comma (,)
Multiple entries may be used in the SCI Control System,
Dissemination Control, and Non-Intelligence Community Marking
categories if the entries are applicable to the document. If
multiple entries are used within a field, they are listed in
the order in which they appear in the Register and the
Implementation Manual. For multiple SCI Control System entries,
use a single right slash as the separator between the
individual SCI Control System entries.
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UNCLASSIFIED
General Guidance
TOP SECRET//COMINT-GAMMA/TK//FGI CAN GBR//RSEN,ORCON,REL TO USA, CAN and GBR//COMSEC//X1
Multiple entries in fields
• SCI control systems separated by single right slash (/)
• Codewords within system separated by hyphen (-) with
no interjected space
• Dissemination controls separated by a comma (,) with
no interjected space
• Non-Intel Community Markings separated by a
comma (,)
Use a comma with no space interjected as the the
separator between multiple Dissemination Control or
multiple Non-Intelligence Community Markings entries.
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UNCLASSIFIED
General Guidance
TOP SECRET//X1
(S) This paragraph would contain
information that would cause serious
damage to the U.S if disclosed to
unauthorized persons.
(TS) This paragraph would contain
information that could cause exceptionally
grave damage to the U.S. if disclosed to
unauthorized persons.
TOP SECRET//X1
Portion Markings
• Mark every portion at beginning of
portion
• Use same separators as in
classification line
• Assume unmarked portion
to be classified at the overall
classification level
• This system introduces, for the first time, a standardized set of portion markings.
Portion markings are to be included at the beginning of the respective portion
and enclosed in parentheses. Standard marking separators (i.e., slashes,
hyphens, commas, etc.) are to be used where necessary.
• Every portion (including the title) shall be portion marked on all classified
documents. Unclassified documents which bear any control markings shall also
be portion marked.
• Portion markings shall always be placed at the beginning of portions. This
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position affords maximum visibility to the reader
UNCLASSIFIED
General Guidance
TOP SECRET//X1
(S) This paragraph would contain
information that would cause serious
damage to the U.S if disclosed to
unauthorized persons.
(TS) This paragraph would contain
information that could cause exceptionally
grave damage to the U.S. if disclosed to
unauthorized persons.
TOP SECRET//X1
Portion Markings
• Mark every portion at beginning of
portion
• Use same separators as in
classification line
• Assume unmarked portion
to be classified at the overall
classification level
• Portion markings shall be enclosed in parentheses
• Portion markings will utilize the same separators as are used for the
classification markings at the top and bottom of the page
• In classified documents or in unclassified documents which bear any control
markings, the unclassified portions which do not require any control
markings will always be marked with (U)
• When appropriate, portion markings may be less restrictive than the
markings at the top and bottom of the page.
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UNCLASSIFIED
General Guidance
•Other classified document markings remain the same
•Unclassified Documents
• Transmitted electrically
• Bears other control markings (e.g. FOUO)
• Hardcopy - marking optional
An UNCLASSIFIED document which either has other control markings or is
being transmitted electronically must contain a classification line. However, it
is optional to mark UNCLASSIFIED on the top and bottom of documents
which are UNCLASSIFIED and bear no other markings, such as FOUO.
Other classified markings not contained in the register or the implementation
manual such as the classification block, working papers, etc. remain the same.
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UNCLASSIFIED
1. Classification Markings
TOP SECRET//COMINT-GAMMA/TK//FGI CAN GBR//RSEN,ORCON,REL TO USA, CAN and GBR//COMSEC//X1
• Spelled out in full in uppercase
• Four choices
• TOP SECRET
• SECRET
• CONFIDENTIAL
• UNCLASSIFIED
• Requires declassification entry
•
There are still three U.S.classifications – TOP SECRET,
SECRET, and CONFIDENTIAL. The difference is now there are
times when you will have to mark an UNCLASSIFIED document.
The classification line must be spelled out in full and may
not be abbreviated in the classification line. If the
classification is TOP SECRET, SECRET, or CONFIDENTIAL, there
must be a Declassification Date Entry.
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UNCLASSIFIED
Classification Markings - Example
TOP SECRET//X1
(TS) This paragraph would contain information that could cause
exceptionally grave damage to the U.S. if disclosed to unauthorized
persons.
TOP SECRET//X1
This is an example of a document containing
TOP SECRET U.S. information.
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UNCLASSIFIED
2. Non-U.S. Classification Markings
TOP SECRET//COMINT-GAMMA/TK//FGI CAN GBR//RSEN,ORCON,REL TO USA, CAN and GBR//COMSEC//X1
• Used by other countries and international
organizations
• Must be listed in Registry
• Currently: NATO, SFOR
• Always begins with double right slash (//)
• Must use ISO 3166 trigraph country code
Non-U.S. Classification markings are used by other countries and
international organizations. Currently, the only Non-U.S. classification
Markings contained in the Register are from NATO countries and
Special Forces. The Classification Line will always begin with // when
using Non-U.S. Classification Markings.
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UNCLASSIFIED
Non-U.S. Classification Markings
• Authorized Non-U.S. classification and
abbreviations:
• TOP SECRET (TS)
• SECRET(S)
• CONFIDENTIAL (C)
• RESTRICTED (R)
• UNCLASSIFIED (U)
• Must be spelled out in English
There are five authorized Non-U.S. classifications:
TOP SECRET, SECRET, CONFIDENTIAL,
RESTRICTED and UNCLASSIFIED. When used
in the classification line they must be spelled out in
English.
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UNCLASSIFIED
Non-U.S. Classification Markings Example
//DEU SECRET//X5
1. (//DEU S) This is the
portion marking for a
portion which is wholly of
German Secret origin.
2. (U) Declassification
Exemption 5 applies.
//DEU SECRET//X5
This is an example of a
German Secret document.
The classification line begins
with the double // and the
declassification exemption
code is always X5 when
referring to Non-U.S. classified
documents.
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UNCLASSIFIED
3. SCI Control System and Codewords
TOP SECRET//COMINT-GAMMA/TK//FGI CAN GBR//RSEN,ORCON,REL TO USA, CAN and GBR//COMSEC//X1
• Three systems used in Registry
• BYE
• COMINT (SI)
• Talent Keyhole
• Multiple System Entries
• Separated by single right slash (/)
• Listed in order in Registry
The next category of information is the Sensitive
Compartmented Information (SCI) Control Systems/Codewords
category. An SCI Control System is the system of procedural
protective mechanisms used to regulate or guide each program
established by the DCI as SCI. A Control System provides the
ability to exercise restraint, direction, or influence over
or provide that degree of access control or physical
protection necessary to regulate, handle or manage
information or items within an approved program. The three
SCI Control Systems included in the register are: BYE, COMINT
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and TALENT KEYHOLE.
UNCLASSIFIED
3. SCI Control System and Codewords
TOP SECRET//COMINT-GAMMA/TK//FGI CAN GBR//RSEN,ORCON,REL TO USA, CAN and GBR//COMSEC//X1
• Three systems used in Registry
• BYE
• COMINT (SI)
• Talent Keyhole
• Multiple System Entries
• Separated by single right slash (/)
• Listed in order in Registry
If more than one SCI Control System is applicable
to the document, they are listed in the order in which
they appear in the Register. That is, in the order
BYE, COMINT,TALENT KEYHOLE.
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UNCLASSIFIED
SCI Control System and Codewords - Example
TOP SECRET//COMINT-GAMMA/TK//X1
(TS//SI-G/TK) This paragraph contains TS GAMMA
and TALENT KEYHOLE. Multiple control systems
are separated by a single slash.
NOTE: May use SI or COMINT in overall marking.
TOP SECRET//COMINT-GAMMA/TK//X1
Multiple SCI Control Systems are separated by single right slashes. For
example, if the classified information falls within BYE, COMINT and TALENT
KEYHOLE control systems, then the SCI control system part of the
classification line would appear as: BYE/COMINT/TALENT KEYHOLE or
BYE/SI/TK.
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UNCLASSIFIED
SCI Control System and Codewords
• Sub-Control Systems/Codewords
• COMINT
- GAMMA
- UMBRA
- SPOKE
- MORAY
• Talent Keyhole
- ZARF
* Deleted by Oct 12, 1999, NSA Cable
In a Oct 12, 1999 NSA Cable, the SCI Control Systems/Codewords
were deleted. The only Sub-Control System remaining is GAMMA. If
GAMMA is applicable, it is listed after the marking “COMINT” with a
hyphen separating the term “COMINT” from the Sub-Control Control
System/Codeword.
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UNCLASSIFIED
4. Foreign Government Information
TOP SECRET//COMINT-GAMMA/TK//FGI CAN GBR//RSEN,ORCON,REL TO USA, CAN and GBR//COMSEC//X1
•
•
•
•
Use when FGI is included in U.S.-controlled document
Separate multi-country information into separate
paragraphs
Use FGI + ISO 3166 trigraphic country codes
Internet: ftp.ripe.net/iso3166-country codes
Foreign Government Information markings are used in U.S. controlled
documents which contain controlled information of Non-U.S. origin. It is
information provided to the United States Government by a foreign
government or governments or information produced by the U.S. as part of
a joint agreement with a foreign government. Use “FGI plus the ISO
trigraphic country code. A document containing FGI must keep the FGI
segregated form U.S. classified portions. If the document contains FGI
information from more than one country, keep the FGI from each
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individual country in separate portions.
UNCLASSIFIED
Foreign Government Information
• List country codes in alphabetical
order, separated by single space
• Substitute “FGI” where specific
government must be concealed
Foreign Government Information markings are used in
U.S. controlled documents which contain controlled
information of Non-U.S. origin. It is information
provided to the United States Government by a foreign
government or governments or information produced by
the U.S. as part of a joint agreement with a foreign
government. Use “FGI” plus the ISO trigraphic country
code. A document containing FGI must keep the FGI
segregated from U.S. classified portions. If the
document contains FGI information from more than one
country, keep the FGI from each individual country32 in
separate portions.
UNCLASSIFIED
Foreign Government Information
Example
SECRET//FGI CAN DEU//X5
1. (//DEU S) This portion contains only German
Secret information.
2. (//CAN S) This portion contains Canadian Secret
information.
3. (//FGI S) This portion contains FGI that must be
concealed.
4. (S) This portion contains U.S. Secret information.
SECRET//FGI CAN DEU//X5
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UNCLASSIFIED
5. Dissemination Control Markings
TOP SECRET//COMINT-GAMMA/TK//FGI CAN GBR//RSEN,ORCON,REL TO USA, CAN and GBR//COMSEC//X1
• Authorized Markings/Abbreviations
• Use only those listed in Registry (some are restricted to specific agency use)
• List multiple controls in order in Registry
• Separate multiple controls with a comma, with no space between; e.g., ORCON,
PROPIN
• Dissemination Controls are control markings which identify
the expansion or limitation on the distribution of
information. Some Dissemination Controls are restricted to
use by certain Agencies. The inclusion of these markings in
the Register does not authorize use of these markings by
other Agencies. Multiple entries may be chosen from this
Dissemination Control category if applicable. If multiple
entries are used, they are listed in the order in which they
appear in the Register and the Implementation Manual. Use a
comma with no space interjected as the separator between
multiple Dissemination Control entries.
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UNCLASSIFIED
Dissemination Control Markings
TOP SECRET//COMINT-GAMMA/TK//FGI CAN GBR//RSEN,ORCON,REL TO USA, CAN and GBR//COMSEC//X1
•
Authorized for Release to (REL TO)
– Must include USA as first country
– Other countries listed in alphabetic order
– Separated by a comma and a space
– Last code separated by a space, lowercase “and” and a space
– NOFORN takes priority over REL TO in page and overall markings
•
REL TO identifies information that an originator has predetermined
to be releasable or has been released, through established foreign
disclosure procedures and channels, to the foreign country (ies)
indicated. REL TO must include country code “USA” as the first
country code listed for U.S. classified information. Other
countries follow in alphabetical order with each country code
separated by a comma and a space with the last country code
separated by a space, a lower case “and”, and a space.
•
When a document contains both NF and REL TO portions, NOFORN takes
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precedence for the markings at the top and bottom of the page.
UNCLASSIFIED
Dissemination Control Markings
• Authorized for Release to … (cont.)
– Portion Marking • REL (if countries are same as in classification line)
• REL TO (if countries are different)
When portion marking, countries do not need to be listed
unless they are different from the countries listed in
the REL TO at top and bottom of page. If countries are
different, the portion marking has the same format as the
Authorized Abbreviation listed above.
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UNCLASSIFIED
SECRET//REL
TO USA and AUS//X1
(U) Example - Use of
Authorized for Release to Marking
1. (S//REL) This is the portion marking for a portion
classified Secret and authorized for release to Australia
(same as page marking). The entire document must be
releasable to the specified countries in order to use this
marking in the overall classification marking.
2. (S//REL TO USA, AUS and NATO) This is the portion marking
for a portion classified Secret authorized for release to
Australia and NATO (different from the page or overall
marking).
SECRET//REL TO USA and AUS//X1
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UNCLASSIFIED
6. Non-Intelligence Community Markings
TOP SECRET//COMINT-GAMMA/TK//FGI CAN GBR//RSEN,ORCON,REL TO USA, CAN and GBR//COMSEC//X1
•
•
•
Restricted to use by certain agencies
Use comma to separate multiple non-intel markings
List in the order shown in Register
•
Separate multiple markings with a comma, with no spaces
•
•
LIMDIS -- NIMA
Example -- UNCLASSIFIED//LIMDIS
Non-Intelligence Community markings are markings authorized
for use by entities outside of the Intelligence Community.
If multiple Non-Intelligence Community Markings apply to
the document, they are listed in the order shown in the
Register or the Manual and separated from one another by
commas, with no spaces interjected. Some Non Intelligence
Community Markings are restricted to use by certain
Agencies. If multiple entries are used, they are listed in
the order that they appear in the Register or the Manual.
Use a comma to separate multiple entries.
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UNCLASSIFIED
7. DECLASSIFICATION DATE
TOP SECRET//COMINT-GAMMA/TK//FGI CAN GBR//RSEN,ORCON,REL TO USA, CAN and GBR//COMSEC//X1
•
•
•
•
Required for all classified documents
Limited to one exemption on classification line
Show multiple exemptions in classification block
Declassification Date Markings
– Date
– Exemption Category
– Manual Review (MR)
•
The Declassification Date must be included for any classified document. No declassification
date entry is given for an unclassified document.
•
Under Executive Order 12958, at the time of original classification, the Original Classification
Authority must try to establish a specific date or event, not to exceed 10 years, when the
information may be declassified. Information whose declassification could reasonably be
expected to cause damage to national security for a period greater than 10 years may qualify
for a declassification exemption.
•
The Declassification Date Markings included in the Register are: Date, Exemption Category,
and Manual Review.
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UNCLASSIFIED
7. DECLASSIFICATION DATE
TOP SECRET//COMINT-GAMMA/TK//FGI CAN GBR//RSEN,ORCON,REL TO USA, CAN and GBR//COMSEC//X1
Declassification upon a Date
– Use year, month, day
– Use 4-number year (e.g. 2010)
– YYYYMMDD - 20101022
If the information is to be declassified on a specific date, the date is listed
in YYYYMMDD format.
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UNCLASSIFIED
Declassification Date
Declassification Exemptions
– Exemption category (e.g. X1)
– EO 12958 exemption categories
At the time of original classification, the original classification
authority may exempt from declassification within 10 years
specific information, the unauthorized disclosure of which
could reasonably be expected to cause damage to the national
security for a period greater than 10 years. There are eight
exemption categories - X1 through X8.
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UNCLASSIFIED
Declassification Date
Declassification Exemptions
– Exemption category (e.g. 25X1)
– EO 12958 exemption categories
Within 5 years from the date of EO 12958, all classified
information contained in records that (1) are more than 25
years old, and (2) have been determined to have permanent
historical value will be automatically declassified whether or
not the records have been reviewed. Subsequently, all classified
information in such records will be automatically declassified
no longer than 25 years from the date of its original
classification. This information may exempted from
declassification by an agency head. There are nine 25-year
exemption categories and are defined as 25X1 through 25X9.
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UNCLASSIFIED
Declassification Date
• Manual Review (MR)
– Decl. Based on specific event
– Decl. On “Source Marked OADR”
– Restricted Data and FRD
– NATO classified information
NOTE: MR is used only in classification line at the top and
bottom of page. Never used in the classification block.
If the information is to be declassified on the occurrence
of a specific event, the declassification date entry is
listed as MR in the classification line. The full textual
description of the event must be specified in the
classification block on the front page of the document.
43
UNCLASSIFIED
Counterintelligence and Security
Awareness Training Team
MSST
301-227-2795
44