A February records list gave researchers a more precise path into declassified holdings

On February 12, 2026, the National Declassification Center published a list of 98 entries that had completed declassification processing between November 12 and December 31, 2025. For researchers, the useful change was a set of identifiable record groups and series to pursue—not a promise that every document was now a downloadable file. ^[1]

The inventory makes that distinction visible. Its first page lists State Department program-policy files dated 1957–1972, with record group 59, HMS entry UD-WX 908 and record-entry identifier 338578. The online-access column says they are unavailable online. Those identifiers turn a broad subject interest into a specific reference request; this report did not inspect the files themselves. ^[2]

The center’s history explains why release takes several steps. Established in December 2009 under Executive Order 13526, it coordinates agency referrals, declassification guidance, training and quality assurance for historically valuable permanent records. Records involving more than one agency therefore require coordination, rather than merely removal of a classification marking by an archivist. ^[3]

The separate Indexing on Demand program, begun in August 2015 after discussions with open-government groups, lets the public nominate eligible entries for final processing. Its description limits eligibility to records that have completed quality-assurance review. Staff survey a request and provide an estimated completion time; the program is a prioritization route, not a guaranteed instant release. ^[4]

For the February list, the Archives directs requests to its College Park reference service and asks for the record group or collection identifier, HMS entry and series title. It also warns that privacy or law-enforcement restrictions may require further screening or a Freedom of Information Act request. Declassification and unrestricted public access are different decisions. ^[1]

Families, historians and civic researchers can use these descriptions to formulate more precise inquiries. The indexing program itself warns that completed declassification can leave other access restrictions in place. No request turnaround, newly discovered historical conclusion or later digitization is established here. ^[4]

About this item: Retrospective report. No first-hand reporting or independent testing is claimed. Corrections policy.