5 CFR § 1312.23 - Access to classified information.

---
identifier: "/us/cfr/t5/s1312.23"
source: "ecfr"
legal_status: "authoritative_unofficial"
title: "5 CFR § 1312.23 - Access to classified information."
title_number: 5
title_name: "Administrative Personnel"
section_number: "1312.23"
section_name: "Access to classified information."
chapter_name: "OFFICE OF MANAGEMENT AND BUDGET"
subchapter_number: "B"
subchapter_name: "OMB DIRECTIVES"
part_number: "1312"
part_name: "CLASSIFICATION, DOWNGRADING, DECLASSIFICATION AND SAFEGUARDING OF NATIONAL SECURITY INFORMATION"
positive_law: false
currency: "2026-03-24"
last_updated: "2026-03-24"
format_version: "1.1.0"
generator: "[email protected]"
authority: "Executive Order 12958, April 20, 1995, 3 CFR, 1995 Comp., p. 333."
regulatory_source: "62 FR 25426, May 9, 1997, unless otherwise noted."
cfr_part: "1312"
---


# 1312.23 Access to classified information.

Classified information may be made available to a person only when the possessor of the information establishes that the person has a valid “need to know” and the access is essential to the accomplishment of official government duties. The proposed recipient is eligible to receive classified information only after he/she has been granted a security clearance by the EOP Security Officer. Cover sheets will be used to protect classified documents from inadvertent disclosure while in use. An SF-703 will be used for Top Secret material; an SF-704 for Secret material, and an SF-705 for Confidential material. The cover sheet should be removed prior to placing the document in the files.