The White House is illuminated at sunset on January 22, 2014. (P012214CK-0504)
Finding Aids
Finding Aids are research tools that help a user find information for open records currently available for research. Finding Aids can include information about extent or linear feet, access, series, administrative or biographical history, scope and content note, the system of arrangement, container list (folder title list), and other pertinent details. Examples of Finding Aids include published and unpublished inventories, containers and folder lists, card catalogs, calendars, indexes, registers, and institutional guides.
Freedom of Information Act Requests
The Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) provides any person with the statutory right to request information from executive branch agencies of the U.S. Government. This right of access is subject to nine statutory FOIA exemptions, which provide agencies the authority to withhold records in whole or in part. The Presidential Records Act (PRA) governs the official records of Presidents, including President Barack Obama, created or received after January 20, 1981. The PRA allows for public access to Presidential Records through FOIA beginning five years after a President's Administration ends. However, it allows the President to invoke as many as six specific restrictions on public access for up to 12 years.
FOIA Requests
In accordance with 44 U.S.C. 2208, the National Archives and Records Administration (NARA) is required to publish letters notifying the representatives of the former and/or incumbent Presidents of our intent to make Presidential records available. Please view the Letters of Notification of Intent to Release Presidential Records page for the most up-to-date information on Presidential records notifications.
Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) requests
These records consist of Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) requests on specific topics or records.
White House Staff Member Office Files
The collection consists of Presidential records from White House Staff Member Office Files (SMOF), 2009-2017, who served in the administration of President Barack Obama.
White House Office of Records Management
The White House Office of Records Management (WHORM), 2009- 2017, manages the office files of individual White House staff members as well as administration records.