Collapse to view only § 1200.4 - How does NARA use its official seals?

§ 1200.2 - How is each NARA seal designed?

NARA's three official seals are illustrated in Figures 1, 2, and 3.

A description of each seal is as follows:

(a) The National Archives and Records Administration seal. The design is illustrated below in Figure 1 and described as follows:

(1) The seal is centered on a disc with a double-line border.

(2) The words “NATIONAL ARCHIVES AND RECORDS ADMINISTRATION” encircle the inside of the seal and the date 1985 is at the bottom center.

(3) A solid line rendition of a heraldic eagle displayed holding in its left talon 13 arrows, in its right talon a branch of olive, bearing on its breast a representation of the shield of the United States.

(4) Displayed above the eagle's head is a partially unrolled scroll inscribed with the words “LITTERA SCRIPTA MANET” one above the other.

(b) National Archives seal. The design is illustrated below and described as in paragraph (a) of this section. However, the words “THE NATIONAL ARCHIVES OF THE UNITED STATES” encircle the inside of the seal and the date 1934 is at the bottom center.

(c) National Archives Trust Fund Board seal. The design is illustrated below and described as in paragraph (a) of this section. However, the words “NATIONAL ARCHIVES TRUST FUND BOARD” encircle the inside of the seal and the date 1941 is at the bottom center.

§ 1200.4 - How does NARA use its official seals?

NARA uses its three official seals to authenticate various copies of documents and for informational purposes as follows:

(a) The National Archives and Records Administration seal, dated 1985, is used:

(1) For official business;

(2) To authenticate copies of Federal records in NARA's temporary custody and copies of NARA operational records; and

(3) For informational purposes with NARA's prior approval (includes use by NARA employees, the public, and other Federal agencies).

(b) The National Archives seal, dated 1934, is used to authenticate copies of documents in NARA's permanent legal custody.

(c) The National Archives Trust Fund Board seal, dated 1941, is used for Trust Fund documents and publications.

[67 FR 72101, Dec. 4, 2002, as amended at 76 FR 1524, Jan. 11, 2011]

§ 1200.6 - Who is authorized to apply the official seals on documents or other materials?

The Archivist of the United States (and the Archivist's designee) is the only individual authorized to apply NARA official seals, embossing seals, and replicas and reproductions of seals to appropriate documents, authentications, and other material. NARA accepts requests to use the official seals and approves or denies them based on the criteria identified in § 1200.10.

§ 1200.7 - What are NARA logos and how are they used?

(a) Agency logo. NARA has one official agency logo, which is illustrated as follows:

(b) The official agency logo is used:

(1) On agency letterhead and business cards;

(2) On all NARA web and social media sites (intranet and internet), whether hosted internally, remotely, or on a public forum (including sites on which a NARA office or program logo also appears);

(3) On exhibits;

(4) On publicity and other branding materials, and on items associated with a one-time or recurring NARA event or activity;

(5) On agency communications and presentations; and

(6) On other items as approved by the Archivist or his designee.

(c) The official agency logo does not replace NARA's official seals on other agency official business, such as certified records, the Federal Register, and authenticated copies.

(d) Office and program logos. NARA's official office and program logos include, but are not limited to, those illustrated as follows:

(1) The Federal Records Center Program;

(2) The National Historical Publications and Records Commission;

(3) American Originals;

(4) Electronic Records Archives;

(5) The Archival Research Catalog;

(6) The Archives Library Information Center;

(7) Presidential Libraries;

(8) Federal Register publications.

(i) Electronic Code of Federal Regulations.

(ii) Regulations.gov and FedReg.gov Web sites.

(iii) Federal Register paper edition.

(iv) Code of Federal Regulations paper edition;

(9) Regional archives:

(i)

(ii) Each regional archives has the same logo design with the geographic location of the facility added.

(10) The Office of Government Information Services (OGIS);

(11) The Controlled Unclassified Information Office (CUI); and

(12) The National Declassification Center (NDC).

(e) Other official NARA logos. For inquiries on other official NARA logos, contact the Office of General Counsel (NGC). Send written inquiries to the Office of General Counsel (NGC), Room 3110, 8601 Adelphi Rd., College Park, MD 20740-6001.

(f) NARA uses its office, program, and other official logos (usually in conjunction with the agency logo) for official business, which includes, but is not limited to:

(1) Exhibits;

(2) Publicity and other materials associated with a one-time or recurring NARA event or activity;

(3) NARA Web sites (Intranet and Internet);

(4) Officially approved internal and external publications; and

(5) Presentations.

(g) Use of logos by others. NARA logos may be used by the public and other Federal agencies for events or activities co-sponsored by NARA, but only with the written approval of the Archivist or his designee. See Subpart C for procedures to request approval for use.

[69 FR 26046, May 11, 2004, as amended at 71 FR 26834, May 9, 2006; 75 FR 19556, Apr. 15, 2010; 76 FR 1524, Jan. 11, 2011]