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JFK Database Explorer

UPDATE: This database has been updated with release dates of all the records declassified during 2017 and 2018; these records now have their "View Document" button enabled for immediate viewing online. You can also filter record listings by release dates.

ALSO NEW is the "Look up by Rif Number" box at the top of the sidebar at right. Just type in a 13-digit record number to instantly view its metadata.

Welcome to the JFK Database Explorer! These pages allow you to explore the JFK Collection records which are identified by a Record Identification Form. Each of over 300,000 documents is uniquely identified by a 13-digit RIF number of the form XXX-XXXXX-XXXXX, and other form fields denote the documents, title, page count, subjects, agency, and other such metadata.

Use the links below to browse by any of the form fields. This Explorer lets you drill down:

• For each form field, view the list of unique values and the # of matching documents

• For each such value, the RIF form metadata for each matching document

• For matching documents scanned into this website (over 1/3 of the total), click through to read the doc

Click the links below to explore JFK database by:

Record Number - 13-digit unique record number assigned by NARA (XXX-XXXXX-XXXXX)
Record Series - Groupings of documents into series
Agency - Name of agency releasing the document
Agency File No. - Original file number or name assigned to the document
Originator - Organization or person who created the document
From - Person or organization from whom the document was sent
To - Person or organization to whom the document was sent
Date - Date when the document was created
Pages - Number of pages in the document
Subjects - List of subjects discussed in the document, separated by semi-colons
Document Type - Type of document (Letter, Report, etc.)
Classification - Document's security classification
Restrictions - Restriction codes identifying types of redactions applied to this document
Current Status - Current release status (Open, Released with Deletions, Postponed in Full)
Date of Last Review - Date when last reviewed for release or change in redaction
Opening Criteria - Criteria to be applied to decision-making about release
Comments - Comments attached to this document

Or explore via these special links:

Explore the documents released in 2017 and 2018 - View metadata and the actual documents which the National Archives released in 7 batches from July 2017 through April 2018.

Or explore the records which were planned for release in 2017 - See the 3,517 records which in 2016 the National Archives said were withheld in full but planned for release in 2017 (not all were actually released).

View the entire list of over 300,000 records - Or just start with the entire database, and use the filter panel to hone in on what you're looking for.

Look up by RIF Number

Record #: Find

ABOUT THE JFK DATABASE EXPLORER

The pages you can explore here use a copy of the full RIF database gleaned from the National Archives website. Created in 2015 by Ramon Herrera, this database copy appears to be complete and accurate with one known limitation (see FAQ for details).

But if you note any anomalies or discrepancies between this data and that of the National Archives website, please contact us at info@maryferrell.org.

Note that there are many typos--these are present in the original National Archives data and no attempt has been made to correct them.

Some Stats

Total count of documents: 319,106

Viewable on MFF: 109,882 (~35%)

For More Information

For more information about this Explorer, the database upon which it is based, and tips and tricks for using it effectively, see this help page:
Frequently Asked Questions about the JFK Database Explorer