NARA Records Disposition Schedule (SF-115) Preparation Worksheet

This worksheet helps you draft the information needed for a Request for Records Disposition Authority before formal submission. It captures the record series, media type, inclusive dates, proposed retention, cutoff event, and the justification for the disposition recommendation. Use it to organize internal review so the SF-115 is complete and consistent before NARA review.

A records manager, records officer, or designated compliance lead usually completes it with input from the business owner of the records. The person filling it out should understand how the records are created, used, stored, and retained. If legal or privacy issues apply, involve counsel or the privacy office before finalizing the recommendation.

Use this worksheet when you are preparing a specific disposition request for one or more record series, not just documenting what exists. It is especially useful when the organization needs to justify a retention period, explain a cutoff event, or note legal-hold and sensitive-information concerns. A general inventory is broader; this worksheet is focused on disposition planning.

Review it whenever a record series changes, a new system replaces an old one, or legal and business requirements shift. Many organizations also review disposition assumptions during periodic records management audits or policy updates. If the records are subject to litigation hold, privacy restrictions, or a regulatory change, review immediately before submission.

Common mistakes include vague series descriptions, missing cutoff events, and retention periods that are not tied to a business or legal reason. Another frequent issue is failing to note legal holds, sensitive content, or special handling requirements. The worksheet should also distinguish between the record creator and the office that merely stores the records.

No. This worksheet is a preparation tool that helps you gather and organize the information needed for the formal Request for Records Disposition Authority. It supports internal review and drafting, but the actual submission process still follows your agency's records management and NARA requirements. Think of it as the working draft behind the final package.

Yes. The record media field is meant to capture whether the series is paper, electronic, hybrid, or another format, and the rest of the worksheet can be adapted to the storage and retrieval method. If the disposition differs by format or system, add that detail in the description or special handling notes. Keep the fields focused on what matters for retention and approval.

Include whether the records are under legal hold, whether they contain sensitive information, and any special handling or access restrictions. If the series includes PII, confidential business data, or other protected content, note the controls that affect retention or destruction. This section helps reviewers see whether the proposed disposition is operationally and legally workable.

It gives every department a consistent structure for describing record series and recommending retention, which makes review easier and reduces back-and-forth. You can assign the worksheet to business owners, then route it to records management for validation and approval comments. That creates a clearer audit trail than collecting disposition details in email threads or ad hoc spreadsheets.