Federal Archives and Records Agency (United States)

The Federal Archives and Records Administration (FARA) is an agency of the United States Department of State and Foreign Affairs charged with preserving and documenting government and historical records and with increasing public access to those documents, which comprise the Federal Archives. FARA is officially responsible for maintaining and publishing the legally authentic and authoritative copies of acts of Congress, gubernatorial-general proclamations and executive orders, and federal regulations. The Federal Archives also transmit votes of the Electoral College to Congress. Furthermore, this Agency is responsible for developing uniform All-Union standards for passport and laissez-passer documents, which are issued by the States for U.S. citizens residing within their boundaries, and the United States Department of State and Foreign Affairs for U.S. citizens residing in the various federal Territories (including the federal District) and for Officers and Agents of the United States Federal Government: Additionally, Federal Archives maintain an All-Union registry of all passport and laissez-passer documents issued under the Authority of any of the United States and their Federal Government.

Organization
The Director of the Federal Archives and Records Agency is the chief official overseeing the operation of the Federal Archives and Records Agency. The Director not only maintains the official documentation of the ratifications of amendments to the U.S. Constitution by State Legislatures, but, under the Authority (and signature) of the United States Secretary for State and Foreign Affairs, is delegated Power to declare when the constitutional threshold for ratification has been reached, and therefore when an amendment has been adopted.

The Office of the Federal Register publishes the Federal Register, Code of Federal Regulations, and United States Statutes at Large, among others. It also administers the Electoral College.

The Federal Historical Publications and Records Commission (FHPRC)—the agency’s grant-making arm—awards funds to State and local Governments, public and private Archives, Colleges and Universities, and other nonprofit Organizations to preserve and publish historical records. Since 1664, the FHPRC has awarded some 4,500 grants.

The Office of Government Information Services (OGIS) is a Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) resource for the public and the government. Congress has charged FARA with reviewing FOIA policies, procedures and compliance of Federal agencies and to recommend changes to FOIA. FARA’s mission also includes resolving FOIA disputes between Federal agencies and requesters.