Critical Records Program

The Indiana Archives and Records Administration's Critical Records Program provides guidance and support to State and local governments that create and maintain records that are designated as CRITICAL on an Oversight Committee on Public Records approved retention schedule. This program was developed in accordance with IC 5-15-5.1-12.

The guidance and policies below were developed to assist State and local governments in making defensible and sustainable decisions about how they create, maintain, access, and preserve their critical records. If you have questions about this program, please reach out to rmd@iara.in.gov if you are with the State, and to cty@iara.in.gov if you are with a County/local office.

What are Critical Records?

Critical Records are defined in IC 5-15-5.1 as records that are necessary to:

1. Resume or continue governmental operations;
2. Reestablish the legal and financial responsibilities of government in Indiana; or
3. Protect and fulfill governmental obligations to the citizens of Indiana.

Critical Records Guidance

• Critical Records Guidance
  • a basic guide to managing your critical records
• Critical Records Program Webinar recording (November 2023)
• Electronic Recordkeeping Systems Guidance
  • if you are managing critical electronic records, review this guidance
• Responsible Records Destruction for State Agencies and County/Local Offices
  • an overview of records destruction procedures for all record types, including electronic and critical
• Vendor Qualifications
  • if you are looking to work with a vendor to digitize your critical records on paper or microfilm, start here

Policies Pertaining to Critical Records

• Oversight Committee on Public Records Policy 20-01: Electronic Records Retention and Disposition
• Oversight Committee on Public Records Policy 20-02: Electronic Records Technical Standards