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Key Takeaways

• The NDAA FY 2024 mandated the creation of the UAP Records Collection at NARA.
• Federal agencies were required to transfer digital UAP records by September 2025.
• Record Group 615 serves as the central repository for these historical documents.

Introduction

The National Archives and Records Administration (NARA) serves as the nation’s record keeper, preserving documents of legal, historical, and administrative value. In recent years, this agency has assumed a central role in one of the most contentious and high-interest topics in modern governance: the documentation of Unidentified Anomalous Phenomena (UAP). Following the enactment of the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) for Fiscal Year 2024, NARA began the complex process of establishing a unified collection of government records related to UAP, encompassing decades of reports, intelligence assessments, and administrative correspondence.

This initiative represents a significant shift in how the United States government manages information regarding unidentified objects. Historically, records related to such phenomena were scattered across various agencies, including the Department of Defense (DoD), the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA), and the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA). Researchers and historians often faced significant hurdles when attempting to locate or request these documents. The establishment of the “Unidentified Anomalous Phenomena Records Collection” seeks to centralize these findings, ensuring they are preserved and, where legally permissible, made accessible to the public.

The creation of this collection is not merely an administrative reorganization; it is a statutory requirement driven by bipartisan legislative efforts to increase transparency. The mandate requires federal agencies to review their holdings, identify relevant materials, and transmit digital copies to NARA. As of late 2025, this process has resulted in the initial population of Record Group 615, the specific archival designation for this material.

Legislative Foundation

The legal basis for the UAP Records Collection lies in the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2024, specifically Sections 1841 through 1843. Signed into law in December 2023, this legislation incorporated elements of the “UAP Disclosure Act” proposed by Senators Chuck Schumer and Mike Rounds. While the final version of the law removed provisions for an independent review board similar to the one established for the John F. Kennedy assassination records, it maintained the requirement for a centralized collection.

The statute directs the Archivist of the United States to establish the collection and prescribes specific timelines for agency compliance. The law defines “unidentified anomalous phenomena” broadly, ensuring that the collection scope includes not only aerial objects but also submerged and transmedium devices that display performance characteristics suggesting advanced technology. This definition prevents agencies from excluding records based on technicalities regarding the domain in which an object was observed.

Under the Act, heads of government offices were required to review their records and identify those that fall under the UAP definition. These records were then to be prepared for transmission to the Archives. The legislation sets a presumption of immediate disclosure, although it allows for the postponement of release if the President certifies that public disclosure would pose a clear and convincing threat to national security.

The Establishment of Record Group 615

To manage the influx of data, the National Archives and Records Administration established Record Group 615 (RG 615), titled “Unidentified Anomalous Phenomena Records Collection.” A Record Group in the NARA system typically corresponds to the records of a single major government agency or bureau. The creation of a distinct Record Group for a subject-matter collection – rather than an agency-specific one – highlights the unique nature of this project. It functions similarly to the JFK Assassination Records Collection, serving as an aggregate repository for documents originating from multiple sources.

The decision to create RG 615 facilitates easier research. Rather than navigating the separate record groups of the Department of the Air Force (RG 341) or the Office of Naval Intelligence (RG 38), researchers can locate relevant materials within this single administrative designation. However, NARA has specified that the collection in RG 615 consists primarily of digital copies. The original physical records often remain with the originating agencies or in their original record groups to maintain the provenance and context of the files.

Digital-Only Mandate

A distinct feature of the UAP Records Collection is its digital-first approach. NARA guidance issued in 2024, specifically memo AC 04.2025, instructed agencies to transfer digital copies of their records. This requirement acknowledges the modern reality of records management, where born-digital documents are the norm, and digitization of analog records improves accessibility.

Agencies were instructed to provide metadata for each record, including the originating office, classification level, date of creation, and a summary of the content. This metadata is essential for the creation of finding aids, which allow the public to search the collection effectively. The reliance on digital transfers also places the burden of digitization on the originating agencies, requiring them to scan paper files before transmission to the Archives.

Agency Compliance and the September 2025 Deadline

The legislation and subsequent NARA guidance set a deadline of September 30, 2025, for federal agencies to transfer digital copies of publicly releasable UAP records. This deadline served as a major milestone in the government’s transparency efforts. In the months leading up to this date, records officers across the federal government engaged in a massive review process.

The Review Process

Agencies had to sift through decades of files to identify responsive records. This process is labor-intensive, particularly for intelligence agencies where UAP reports might be commingled with unrelated classified information. The review required agencies to:

• Search electronic and physical holdings for keywords related to UAP, UFOs, and related terminology.
• Assess identified records for release, applying standard declassification guidelines.
• Digitize analog records.
• Generate the required metadata in CSV format.
• Transmit the data to NARA via secure electronic transfer methods.

As of December 2025, NARA has received initial tranches of data from several key agencies. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), which handles reports of pilot sightings and radar anomalies, was among the contributors. The Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) also participated, providing records related to security incidents at nuclear facilities that may involve unidentified craft.

Non-Compliance and Delays

While many agencies met the deadline for their initial batches, the sheer volume of classified material ensures that the process remains ongoing. Some agencies have requested extensions or are transferring records on a rolling basis. The Act allows for this rolling transfer, recognizing that a complete review of all intelligence holdings is a multi-year endeavor. Significantly, records that are fully classified and not yet approved for release remain withheld, though they must still be identified and accounted for within the internal government systems.

Scope of Material in the Collection

The UAP Records Collection is designed to be exhaustive. The statutory definition of “UAP record” includes any information relating to unidentified anomalous phenomena, technologies of unknown origin, and non-human intelligence. This broad scope encompasses a wide variety of document types.

Intelligence Reports

The core of the collection involves intelligence reports from the Department of Defense and the Intelligence Community. These documents often describe sensor contacts, pilot observations, and satellite data. While many of these remain classified to protect sources and methods, the redacted versions (or “sanitized” copies) are entered into RG 615. These reports provide the raw data that analysts use to determine if an object poses a threat.

Administrative Correspondence

Beyond sighting reports, the collection includes memos, emails, and policy documents that reveal how the government discussed and managed the UAP issue internally. These records often prove more illuminating than the sighting reports themselves, as they expose the bureaucratic struggles, funding debates, and shifting priorities regarding UAP research over the decades.

Audiovisual Materials

The mandate extends to photographs, motion pictures, and sound recordings. The National Archives and Records Administration holds vast repositories of film and audio, and RG 615 incorporates digital copies of relevant media. This includes cockpit gun camera footage, radar tapes, and civilian photographs submitted to government investigators. Ensuring the long-term preservation of these high-fidelity digital assets requires significant storage infrastructure.

Historical Context: From Project Blue Book to RG 615

The establishment of RG 615 is the latest chapter in a long history of federal involvement with UAP records. Understanding the current collection requires examining its predecessors, most notably Project Blue Book.

Project Blue Book (RG 341)

From 1947 to 1969, the United States Air Force investigated UFOs under a series of projects, culminating in Project Blue Book. When the Air Force terminated the project in 1969 following the Condon Committee report, the files were eventually transferred to the National Archives. These records reside in Record Group 341, Records of Headquarters U.S. Air Force (Air Staff).

For decades, RG 341 was the primary destination for researchers. It contains case files for thousands of sightings, administrative files, and the iconic Project Blue Book microfilm. The new mandate does not physically move these original paper and microfilm records into RG 615. Instead, digital copies or cross-references are integrated into the new finding aids to create a unified search experience. This preserves the archival integrity of the Air Force records while making them virtually part of the new UAP collection.

The Intervening Years

Between the closure of Project Blue Book in 1969 and the establishment of the modern All-domain Anomaly Resolution Office (AARO), government investigation of UAP was decentralized. Records from this “dark age” of investigation were often scattered, misfiled, or destroyed. The 2024 legislation specifically targets this gap, compelling agencies to locate records created during periods when no formal public reporting mechanism existed.

Challenges in Archival Processing

The implementation of the UAP Records Collection faces several significant hurdles. NARA archivists must balance the statutory mandate for transparency with the rigorous demands of information security and privacy.

Classification and Redaction

The most persistent challenge is classification. Many UAP records contain information related to sensitive military platforms, sensor capabilities, and electronic warfare systems. The “sources and methods” used to detect a UAP are often more sensitive than the UAP itself. As a result, many documents entering RG 615 are heavily redacted.

The process of redaction is subjective and time-consuming. Under the NDAA, agencies must provide “unredacted” versions to NARA for secure storage, while the “redacted” version is made available to the public. NARA does not have the authority to declassify information unilaterally; it must rely on the guidance of the originating agency (e.g., the CIA or Navy). This reliance on agency discretion can lead to inconsistent redactions across the collection.

Personally Identifiable Information (PII)

Reports of UAP sightings often come from military pilots, police officers, or private citizens. Protecting the privacy of these individuals is a legal requirement. NARA archivists must ensure that names, addresses, and other Personally identifiable information (PII) are obscured before records are published online. This review adds another layer of processing time to every document.

Accessing the Collection

For the public, the primary interface with the UAP Records Collection is the National Archives Catalog. NARA has developed specific search portals and finding aids to help users navigate RG 615.

The National Archives Catalog

The digital records transferred by agencies are ingested into the NARA catalog. Users can search by keyword, date, or originating agency. The catalog provides the digital image of the document alongside its metadata. NARA has also created a dedicated web page for the UAP Records Collection, offering direct links to the various series of records as they become available.

Physical Research

While the focus is on digital access, researchers can still visit the National Archives in College Park, Maryland, to view original physical records that have not yet been digitized or that reside in legacy collections like RG 341. However, RG 615 itself is a digital collection, meaning there are no physical “boxes” of RG 615 documents to order in the reading room. Researchers requesting RG 615 materials will be directed to the computer terminals.

Specific Record Groups with UAP Content

While RG 615 is the central hub, UAP-related information exists throughout the National Archives. Researchers often need to consult multiple Record Groups to build a complete picture.

• Record Group 341 (Headquarters U.S. Air Force): Contains Project Blue Book, Project Sign, and Project Grudge files.
• Record Group 255 (National Aeronautics and Space Administration): NASA records, including mission transcripts and astronaut debriefings that may contain anomalous observations.
• Record Group 59 (Department of State): Records relating to international treaties on space law and correspondence regarding UFO reports from foreign nations.
• Record Group 263 (Central Intelligence Agency): CIA records, although many remain classified or are only available in redacted forms within the CREST system (often accessible via NARA).
• Record Group 313 (Naval Operating Forces): Deck logs and operational reports that may contain maritime UAP sightings.

The Future of the Collection

The UAP Records Collection is an active, growing entity. The September 2025 deadline was merely the initial cutoff for the first wave of transfers. The legislative mandate requires ongoing identification and transmission of records.

As new incidents occur and are documented by the Department of Defense, these records will eventually undergo review and transfer to NARA. Furthermore, as the 25-year automatic declassification date approaches for older records, more material will transition from the classified/withheld category to the public domain.

The collection effectively institutionalizes UAP research. By establishing a permanent home for these records within the National Archives, the government ensures that future generations of historians, scientists, and the public will have access to the primary source material necessary to analyze this phenomenon. It moves the subject from the fringes of conspiracy theory into the organized, methodical world of federal record-keeping.

Summary

The establishment of the UAP Records Collection at the National Archives and Records Administration marks a pivotal moment in the history of government transparency. Mandated by the NDAA FY 2024, this initiative centralizes disparate records into Record Group 615, providing a unified digital repository for information regarding Unidentified Anomalous Phenomena. While the September 2025 deadline for initial transfers has passed, the collection remains a work in progress, with agencies continuing to review and transmit files.

Despite challenges related to classification, redaction, and privacy, the collection represents a formal acknowledgment of the historical and scientific value of UAP data. It ensures that the record of humanity’s encounters with the unexplained is preserved with the same rigor as other aspects of national history. For researchers, the collection offers a structured starting point; for the public, it offers a window into how the government has perceived and managed the unknown.

Appendix: Top 10 Questions Answered in This Article

What is the UAP Records Collection?

The UAP Records Collection is a centralized repository established by the National Archives and Records Administration (NARA) under Record Group 615. It was mandated by the NDAA FY 2024 to collect, preserve, and provide public access to federal records related to Unidentified Anomalous Phenomena.

Which law mandated the creation of this collection?

The collection was mandated by the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) for Fiscal Year 2024, specifically Sections 1841 through 1843. This legislation was signed into law in December 2023.

What was the deadline for agencies to transfer records?

Federal agencies were required to transfer digital copies of publicly releasable UAP records to NARA by September 30, 2025. Transfers are expected to continue on a rolling basis for records requiring further review.

Are the records in the collection physical or digital?

The UAP Records Collection in Record Group 615 is primarily a digital collection. NARA instructed agencies to transfer digital copies of their records, including digitized versions of analog documents.

What is Record Group 615?

Record Group 615 is the specific administrative designation within the National Archives system assigned to the Unidentified Anomalous Phenomena Records Collection. It serves as the central “bucket” for these multi-agency records.

Does this collection include Project Blue Book files?

Project Blue Book files reside physically in Record Group 341 (U.S. Air Force). However, digital copies and finding aids for these records are integrated into the broader context of the UAP research experience at NARA.

What types of media are included in the collection?

The collection includes textual documents, photographs, motion pictures (video), sound recordings, and electronic data. This encompasses everything from intelligence memos to gun camera footage.

Why are some records redacted?

Records are redacted to protect sensitive national security information, such as intelligence sources and methods, or to protect Personally Identifiable Information (PII). Agencies determine these redactions before transferring the files to NARA.

How can the public access these records?

The public can access the records through the National Archives Catalog online. NARA provides a dedicated web portal and digital finding aids to assist researchers in locating specific documents within RG 615.

What happens if an agency does not release a record?

If a record is deemed too sensitive for immediate release, its disclosure can be postponed if the President certifies that release would harm national security. However, the record must still be identified and preserved for eventual disclosure.

Appendix: Top 10 Frequently Searched Questions Answered in This Article

What is the difference between RG 615 and RG 341?

RG 615 is the new, centralized collection for UAP records from all agencies created under the 2024 NDAA. RG 341 specifically contains the historical records of the U.S. Air Force, including the Project Blue Book files from 1947-1969.

How long does it take for UAP records to be declassified?

The NDAA sets a general benchmark that records should be disclosed in full 25 years after their creation. However, the President can certify the continued postponement of specific records if national security concerns outweigh the public interest.

What is the role of the Archivist of the United States in this process?

The Archivist is responsible for establishing the collection, ensuring agencies comply with transfer requirements, and making the records available to the public. The Archivist manages the physical and digital infrastructure of the collection.

Did the 2024 NDAA include a review board?

No, the final version of the 2024 NDAA removed the provision for an independent UAP Records Review Board with subpoena power. The responsibility for review and transfer was left to the heads of individual government agencies.

What is the definition of UAP in the legislation?

The legislation defines UAP broadly to include airborne, submerged, and transmedium objects that are not immediately identifiable. It also includes “technologies of unknown origin” and “non-human intelligence.”

How does NARA handle classified UAP records?

NARA stores classified records in secure facilities. These records are not available to the public until they undergo a declassification review and are approved for release, often with redactions.

What agencies are contributing to the UAP collection?

Contributors include the Department of Defense, Federal Aviation Administration, Department of Energy, Nuclear Regulatory Commission, and the Intelligence Community. Any agency with relevant records is required to participate.

Is the UAP Records Collection available internationally?

Yes, because the collection is hosted online through the National Archives Catalog, it is accessible to anyone with an internet connection, regardless of their location.

Can I request specific UAP records from NARA?

Yes, the public can file Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) requests for records. However, the new proactive disclosure mandate intends to reduce the need for individual requests by making records publicly available by default.

What is the “presumption of disclosure”?

The “presumption of disclosure” is a legal standard in the NDAA implying that records should be made public unless there is a specific, compelling reason to withhold them. It shifts the burden of proof onto the agency wishing to keep the record secret.