The National Archives and Records Administration (NARA) will allow agencies to continue transferring official personnel folders (OPFs) until June 2025 – giving agencies a limited exception to the electronic-files-only policy fully implemented earlier this summer.
The agency successfully transitioned to accepting only digital records after meeting its longstanding June 30 deadline.
Though the transition pushed many agencies to shift to digitized processes and create electronic copies of paper records, NARA acknowledged that agencies still need more time to fully digitalize records and will allow the delivery of employee medical folders (EMFs) until June 2027 in addition to OPFs.
Agencies that have already transitioned to fully digital OPMs and EMFs are not eligible for the exception, NARA noted, stating that only those still managing paper files qualify.
“[The Office of Personnel Management (OPM)] is undergoing a modernization process for OPFs and EMFs,” reads the announcement. “They will offer solutions and services to help agencies manage OPFs and EMFs digitally throughout an employee’s federal career and after separation.”
Additionally, NARA said that OPM will provide agencies with conversion and digitization support services after onboarding to the OPM eOPF system, the electronic version and access system of OPFs.
The commitment to providing guidance echoes statements earlier this month by Lisa Haralampus, director of records management policy and outreach at NARA, who stated that doing so has always been the agency’s “touchstone.”
“NARA is going to continue to provide guidance to support management electronic records and effectively and efficiency over time,” said Haralampus.
