This page serves as a gateway to the President John F. Kennedy Assassination Records Collection, a comprehensive archive managed by the U.S. National Archives. Created following Executive Order 14176, signed on January 23, 2025, this collection is dedicated to the declassification and public release of records related to the assassination of President John F. Kennedy, a pivotal moment in USA history.
The President John F. Kennedy Assassination Records Collection is vast, encompassing over six million pages of documents, photographs, motion pictures, sound recordings, and artifacts. This online portal is designed to host already accessible materials from the collection and will be the central platform for future releases of documents and items as they become available.
Understanding Executive Order 14176 and its Impact
Executive Order 14176: Declassification Mandate
Executive Order 14176, officially titled “Declassification of Records Concerning the Assassinations of President John F. Kennedy, Senator Robert F. Kennedy, and the Reverend Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.,” and issued by the U.S. President on January 23, 2025, underscores the importance of transparency regarding these significant historical events. The order explicitly states, “it is in the national interest to finally release all records related to these assassinations without delay.” This directive is a crucial step towards making these historical documents accessible to the American public and researchers worldwide interested in John F. Kennedy USA and the events surrounding his presidency.
The National Archives’ Central Role
As the official custodian of the President John F. Kennedy Assassination Records Collection, the National Archives plays a vital role in fulfilling the objectives of Executive Order 14176. The National Archives is committed to ensuring that these records are made available online, providing easy access for everyone.
It’s important to note that while the National Archives manages and provides access to these records, the authority to declassify documents rests with the originating agencies. The National Archives collaborates closely with various agencies within the Executive Branch to implement the declassification decisions and facilitate the release of information.
Online Accessibility: How Records are Made Available
The National Archives is actively preparing to process and publish further declassification decisions made by the U.S. President and other government agencies. As these decisions are finalized and records are digitized, the National Archives will promptly upload them to this dedicated webpage. This process ensures a continuous and rolling release of information to the public.
Existing Access to Kennedy Assassination Records
It’s worth highlighting that a significant portion of the President John F. Kennedy Assassination Records Collection is already declassified and publicly accessible. In fact, the vast majority of this collection, comprising over six million pages, has already been made available either for in-person review or online access prior to Executive Order 14176.
Recognizing the importance of digital accessibility, the National Archives initiated a comprehensive digitization effort in 2023 to convert all records within the JFK Assassination Records Collection into digital formats. This ongoing initiative has been further prioritized following the issuance of Executive Order 14176 to expedite the online release of these crucial historical documents related to John F. Kennedy USA.
For records that are not yet digitized, researchers can still access them in person at the National Archives at College Park. Detailed information on planning a research visit can be found on the Plan Your Research Visit page on the National Archives website.
Previous Record Releases
The National Archives has been proactively releasing records from the collection over the years. Below are links to recent releases, offering a glimpse into the ongoing efforts to make these historical documents public. For detailed information regarding agency postponements related to previous releases, please refer to the agency postponement documentation.
2023 Release
2022 Release
2021 Release
2017-2018 Release
Current Online Availability
The National Archives is committed to the continuous digitization and online publication of records from the JFK Assassination Records Collection.
For the most up-to-date listing of JFK Assassination Records Collection materials currently available online, please visit What is Currently Available Online. These records are accessible through the National Archives Catalog, providing a searchable database for researchers and the public.
Frequently Asked Questions and Further Resources
For additional information and answers to common queries, please consult the following resources:
Frequently Asked Questions
Press Releases
Participate in the JFK Assassination Records Transcription Mission
Contribute to making these historical records even more accessible by participating in the JFK Assassination Records Transcription Mission. Volunteer Citizen Archivists can help transcribe records from the collection, making them more searchable and readable for everyone. To learn more and sign up, please visit the Citizen Archivist Missions page. Every transcribed word enhances the discoverability of these important documents related to John F. Kennedy USA.
Contact Information
Reference Inquiries
For general reference inquiries, please email: [email protected]
Media Inquiries
For media-related inquiries, please email: [email protected]
Image Credit: Detail of portrait of John F. Kennedy, White House Historical Association/White House Collection. Used with permission.
