to
MARKING ORIGINALLY CLASSIFIED DOCUMENTS
This is an example of a document that an original classifier
SECRET
has determined requires protection. It contains essential
DEPARTMENT OF GOOD WORKS
markings, Including:
Washington,
.
April
MEMORANDUM FOR THE DIRECTOR
Protection marking
l
Overall classification
From: David
Chief Division 5
l
To:
Distribution
A "Classified by" line to include the identity, by name or
l
Funding Problems
personal identifier, and position of the original classifier
1
This is paragraph 1 and contains unclassified
information Therefore, this portion will be marked with
A reason for classification
the designation
in parentheses
l
2
This is paragraph 2 and contains ` ecret"
S
A "Declassify on" line which shall indicate one of the
information. Therefore, this portion will be marked with
l
the designation
in parentheses
3
This is paragraph 3 and contains " onfidential"
C
following:
information Therefore, this portion will be marked with
the designation
in parentheses
the date or event for declassification not to exceed
David Smith, Chief, Division 5
Classified by:
Department of Good Works
years
Office of Administration
Military Plans
Reason:
The date that is
years from the date of the original
December
Declassify on:
decision
SECRET
An authorized and applicable exemption
DEPARTMENT OF GOOD WORKS
Washington,
This is the same document before the markings were applied.
April
This section will retrace the steps that are necessary to mark an
MEMORANDUM FOR THE DIRECTOR
originally classified document.
From: David Smith, Chief Division 5
To:
Distribution
Funding Problems
1
This is paragraph 1 and contains unclassified
information Therefore, this portion will be
marked with the designation
in
parentheses
2
This is paragraph 2 and contains ` ecret"
S
information Therefore, this portion
be
Portion Markings
marked with the designation
in
parentheses
This is paragraph 3 and contains
3
" onfidential" information. Therefore, this
C
portion will be marked with the designation
in parentheses
The First Step in the marking process is to identify the
classification level of each portion. A portion is ordinarily defined
as a paragraph. Subjects and titles are also treated as portions.
Only in this way can the overall classification level be determined. The three paragraphs
of this sample document contain unclassified, "Secret," and "Confidential" information,
respectively. Portion Markings consist of the letters
for
Funding Problems
unclassified,
for "Confidential,"
for "Secret," and
This is paragraph 1 and contains
1
unclassified information Therefore, this
for "Top Secret." These abbreviations, in parentheses, are
portion will be marked with the designation
in parentheses
placed before the portion to which they apply. Portion mark as
2
This is paragraph 2 and contains Secret"
information Therefore, this portion will be
illustrated in this example.
marked with the designation
in
parentheses
3
This is paragraph 3 and contains
" onfidential" information. Therefore, this
C
portion will be marked with the designation
in parentheses
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