National Security Information Handbook

NSI Handbook
Security Classification
office were dispersed amongst multiple offices and the inheriting office(s) cannot be
determined, or the functions have ceased to exist, the senior official of whom the
originating activity was a part is responsible for determining the action to be taken
with respect to classification.
Section 4: Dissemination Control Markings
2-400 Dissemination Control Markings
1. Dissemination Control Markings identify the limitations on the distribution of NSI.
These markings are in addition to and separate from the levels of classification
defined by E.O. 13526. If used in a document, Dissemination Control Markings are
displayed after the classification level, separated by a slash.
2. Common Dissemination Control Markings include “Authorized for Release To”,
“Not Releasable to Foreign Nationals”, and “Originator Controlled”.
‘Authorized for Release To’ (REL TO or REL): Identifies classified information
that is releasable or has been released to the foreign country or countries indicated
­ When using REL TO the country code USA must be listed first in REL TO
banners for US documents. Following USA trigraph codes for other
authorized countries shall be listed in alphabetical order with each code
separated by a comma and a space
­ Specific portions of a document, as defined in Chapter 4, Section 4-201, shall
be appropriately marked with the designation “REL” when information
contained within is authorized for release. An example of each follows:
Banner Example: SECRET//REL TO USA, CAN, ISR
Portion Marking Example: (S//REL) These samples are classified for
informational purposes only
“Not Releasable to Foreign Nationals” (NOFORN): Unless otherwise stated in
writing, the use of NOFORN on a classified document prohibits the release of
information contained within to any foreign national, foreign organization, or
non-US citizen
­ The designation NOFORN cannot be used in conjunction with REL TO
­ Specific portions of a document, as defined in Chapter 4, Section 4-201, shall
be appropriately marked with the designation “NF” when information
contained within is prohibited from release. An example of each follows:
Banner Example: CONFIDENTIAL//NOFORN
Portion Marking Example: (C//NF) These samples are classified for
informational purposes only
“Originator Controlled” (ORCON): Identifies classified information that
identifies or would enable identification of classified sources and methods that
may easily be neutralized
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