SUPPORTING STATEMENT_FINAL_3095-0027_2026

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SUPPORTING STATEMENT
​ Order Forms for Genealogical Research in the National Archives
NATF Forms 84, 85, and 86
(OMB Control No. 3095-0027)
1. ​ Circumstances making the collection of information necessary. The National
Archives and Records Administration (NARA) is the agency of the Federal Government
responsible for identifying, preserving, and making available to the public and to the Federal
Government all forms of Government records not restricted by law that have been determined to
have sufficient historical, informational, or evidential value to warrant continued preservation.
Records are normally used in the various research rooms operated within the National Archives
system (36 CFR 1254). In order to accommodate those researchers who cannot visit the
appropriate research room in order to view certain original records, NARA offers limited
provisions to obtain reproductions of records by mail or through online ordering and requires
paper requests to be made on prescribed forms for certain bodies of records.
NATF Forms 84, 85, and 86 are not considered voluntary commercial transactions, but require
verification or proof that the requester meets certain credentials, and are used by researchers of all
kinds to obtain reproductions of pages of Federal land entry case files in the National Archives of
the United States, reproductions (or selected documents from the file if voluminous) of military
service files, pension application files, and bounty land files more than 75 years old.
NARA receives orders either via the mail as paper orders or via the Internet through its online
ordering system, where individuals can enter their requests in a guided format.​
Form
84
85
86
TOTALS

Paper Online
101
590
778
1,469

821
2,091
2,758
5,670

Total
922
2,681
3,536
7,139

2. ​
Purpose and use of the information. Each NATF Form (84, 85, 86) is used for a unique
request as part of a two-step process: (1) to search for the requested file and, if found, make
copies; and (2) to bill the requesting researcher for the copies of the records when the search is
successful. Copies are mailed after photocopies are made. Table 2-1 shows the percent of
successful searches for orders received on paper forms and those received via online ordering.
The higher success rate for orders received from online ordering is believed to be due to the
enforced edit checks of the online system and better legibility of the data input.

Form
84
85

Paper
11%
22%

Online
89%
78%

​

86
22%
78%
Table 2-1 Percent of Form 80 Series Orders Found
The information collected by these forms is the minimum necessary for us to find the documents
the person is looking for and service the request. Additional helpful information is collected if
known by the researcher. Were this information collection not conducted, NARA would be unable
to fulfill this part of its mandate in a timely, equitable, and efficient manner.
3. ​ Use of information technology and burden reduction. These forms are available
through NARA’s online ordering system (https://eservices.archives.gov/orderonline) where
individuals can complete the forms and order the copies. They are also posted in PDF format on
NARA’s website (www.archives.gov).
4. ​ Efforts to identify duplication and use of similar information. We are unaware of any
duplication. This information is collected only by the NATF Forms 84, 85, or 86 when the
respondent wants NARA to make a copy of land entry files, military records, and pension
application files, and bounty land files. The information that must be furnished cannot be
obtained through similar information already available as each request is unique.
5. ​ Impact on small businesses or other small entities. The collection of the
information does not involve small businesses or other small entities.

6. ​ Consequences of collecting the information less frequently. The information
collection cannot be conducted less frequently since it occurs only when copies of land
entry case files, military records, pension application files, and bounty land files are
requested from NARA. We never initiate this information collection; we only respond to
customer demand.
7. ​ Special circumstances relating to the guidelines of 5 CFR 1320.5. We conduct
the information collection in a manner consistent with the guidelines in 5 CFR 1320.5.
8. ​ Comments in response to the Federal Register Notice and efforts to consult
outside agency. We published a Federal Register notice on June 12, 2026 (91 FR
35709) to solicit public comments and we received no comments.
9. ​ Explanation of any payment or gift to respondents. We provide no payment
or gift to respondents for this information.
10. ​ Assurance of confidentiality provided to respondents. We protect the records series
formed by this information collection in two Privacy Act systems of records (NARA-2 and
NARA-25. The Freedom of Information Act exemptions b(4) and b(6) also protect this
information.

11. ​ Justification for sensitive questions. We ask no questions of a sensitive or
private nature. The forms do allow the respondent to provide credit card information,
which is necessary for them to pay for the reproductions they order and is considered
financially sensitive information. Only the original copy of the form contains this
information, which we either return to the respondent if the reply is negative, or file in
secure file cabinets in the Cashier's office if we bill the respondent. We handle similar
information we receive through online ordering in accordance with applicable computer
security requirements.
12.
Estimates of hour burden including annualized hourly costs. We estimate the
burden per response to be ten (10) minutes to read the instructions and fill out the form
for either the paper form or online ordering form. (The response time was calculated by
consultation with a few potential respondents.) Table 11-1 displays estimates of the
annualized burden for completing the forms.

Form
84
85
86
TOTALS

Paper
Requests
101
590
778
1,469

Burden
Hrs
17
98
130
245

Online
Requests
821
2,091
2,758
5,670

Burden Hrs
137
349
460
945

Total Burden
Hrs
154
447
590
1,190

13.
Estimate of other total annual cost burden to respondents or record-keepers.
There are no annual cost burdens to respondents or record-keepers
14.
Annualized cost to the Federal Government. There is no annualized cost to
the Federal Government. These forms are in PDF format and are posted on NARA’s
website for downloading and printing.
15.
Explanation for program changes or adjustments. Trust Fund order volume has
remained unchanged.
16. ​ Plans for tabulation and publication and project time schedule. We will not be using
the information we collect for statistical studies or publications.
17. ​ Reason(s) display of OMB expiration date is inappropriate. We will display the
expiration date for OMB approval of this information collection on the forms.
18. ​ Exceptions to certification for Paperwork Reduction Act submissions. There are no
exceptions to the certification statement identified in Item 19 of OMB Form 83-I, “Certification
for Paperwork Reduction Submissions.”