A system of records is a group of any records under the control of any agency from which information is retrieved using the individual’s name or some form of unique identifying number, symbol, or other identifier assigned to the individual.

The Privacy Act requires federal agencies that maintain a system of records to publish a notice, commonly referred to as Systems of Records Notices or SORNs, in the Federal Register identifying:

  • The purpose for which information about an individual is collected.
  • What type of information is being collected.
  • How the information is shared.
  • What an individual must do if they want to access or amend any record maintained about them.