50 USC § 1844 - Authorization during time of war

---
identifier: "/us/usc/t50/s1844"
source: "usc"
legal_status: "official_prima_facie"
title: "50 USC § 1844 - Authorization during time of war"
title_number: 50
title_name: "WAR AND NATIONAL DEFENSE"
section_number: "1844"
section_name: "Authorization during time of war"
chapter_number: 36
chapter_name: "FOREIGN INTELLIGENCE SURVEILLANCE"
subchapter_number: "III"
subchapter_name: "PEN REGISTERS AND TRAP AND TRACE DEVICES FOR FOREIGN INTELLIGENCE PURPOSES"
positive_law: false
currency: "119-84"
last_updated: "2026-04-21"
format_version: "1.1.0"
generator: "[email protected]"
source_credit: "(Pub. L. 95–511, title IV, § 404, as added Pub. L. 105–272, title VI, § 601(2), Oct. 20, 1998, 112 Stat. 2408.)"
---


# § 1844. Authorization during time of war

Notwithstanding any other provision of law, the President, through the Attorney General, may authorize the use of a pen register or trap and trace device without a court order under this subchapter to acquire foreign intelligence information for a period not to exceed 15 calendar days following a declaration of war by Congress.

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**Source Credit**: (Pub. L. 95–511, title IV, § 404, as added Pub. L. 105–272, title VI, § 601(2), Oct. 20, 1998, 112 Stat. 2408.)