36 CFR § 1226.20 - How do agencies temporarily extend retention periods?

---
identifier: "/us/cfr/t36/s1226.20"
source: "ecfr"
legal_status: "authoritative_unofficial"
title: "36 CFR § 1226.20 - How do agencies temporarily extend retention periods?"
title_number: 36
title_name: "Parks, Forests, and Public Property"
section_number: "1226.20"
section_name: "How do agencies temporarily extend retention periods?"
chapter_name: "NATIONAL ARCHIVES AND RECORDS ADMINISTRATION"
subchapter_number: "B"
subchapter_name: "RECORDS MANAGEMENT"
part_number: "1226"
part_name: "IMPLEMENTING DISPOSITION"
positive_law: false
currency: "2026-03-24"
last_updated: "2026-03-24"
format_version: "1.1.0"
generator: "[email protected]"
authority: "44 U.S.C. 2111, 2904, 3102, and 3301."
regulatory_source: "74 FR 51014, Oct. 2, 2009, unless otherwise noted."
cfr_part: "1226"
---


# 1226.20 How do agencies temporarily extend retention periods?

(a) Agencies must secure NARA written approval to retain records series or systems that are eligible for destruction under NARA-approved schedules except when:

(1) The agency has requested a change in the records schedule in accordance with § 1225.26 of this subchapter, in which case the agency is authorized to retain records eligible for destruction until the new SF 115 is approved;

(2) The records will be needed for less than one year; or

(3) A court order requires retention of the records.

(b) To request an extension, agencies must send a letter to NARA, by mail at National Archives and Records Administration; Office of the Chief Records Officer (AC); 8601 Adelphi Road; College Park, MD 20740-6001, or by email at *[email protected].* Along with a justification, the request must include:

(1) A concise description of the records series for which the extension is requested.

(2) A citation to the agency records schedule or the GRS currently governing disposition of the records;

(3) A statement of the estimated period of time that the records will be required; and

(4) For records in the agency's custody, a statement of the current and proposed physical location of the records.

(c) Agencies must ensure that records in records storage facilities are retained for the duration of the extension.

[74 FR 51014, Oct. 2, 2009, as amended at 83 FR 13653, Mar. 30, 2018]