SYSTEM NAME:

Closed - Baptism, Marriage, and Funeral Files  (June 16, 2014,  79 FR 34301)

SYSTEM LOCATION:

Records from 1917-1952 are in the National Archives and Record Administration. Records from 1953-1977 are in the Washington National Records Center, Washington, DC 20409, as well as the office, Chief of Chaplains, Department of the Army, Washington, DC 20310-2700.

CATEGORIES OF INDIVIDUALS COVERED BY THE SYSTEM:

This is a closed system – no new records may be added.  Any service member, his/her dependent, authorized civilian personnel, or retired service member for whom an Army chaplain performed a baptism, marriage, or funeral.

CATEGORIES OF RECORDS IN THE SYSTEM:

Names of individuals who apply for marriage, those on whom funeral services are conducted, or baptisms are performed.

AUTHORITY FOR MAINTENANCE OF THE SYSTEM:

10 U.S.C. 3547, Duties: Chaplains; Assistance Required of Commanding Officers.

PURPOSE(S):

Records were used to render service to military members, their dependents and authorized civilians.

ROUTINE USES OF RECORDS MAINTAINED IN THE SYSTEM, INCLUDING CATEGORIES OF USERS AND THE PURPOSES OF SUCH USES:

In addition to those disclosures generally permitted under 5 U.S.C. 552a(b) of the Privacy Act, these records or information contained therein may specifically be disclosed outside the DoD as a routine use pursuant to 5 U.S.C. 552a(b)(3) as follows:

The `Blanket Routine Uses' set forth at the beginning of the Army's compilation of systems of records notices also apply to this system.

POLICIES AND PRACTICES FOR STORING, RETRIEVING, ACCESSING, RETAINING, AND DISPOSING OF RECORDS IN THE SYSTEM:

STORAGE:

Microfilm at office of the Chief of Chaplains; paper records at the Washington National Records Center for period 1917-1952.

RETRIEVABILITY:

Records are retrieved by marriage records filed by groom's surname; funeral records by surname of deceased person; baptismal records by the individual's surname.

SAFEGUARDS:

Records are now stored at the Washington National Records Center and are only released upon request. See "Record Access Procedures" below.

RETENTION AND DISPOSAL:

Records from 1953 to 1977 are retained for 50 years; this system was discontinued October 1, 1977 after which no information was collected or is retained.  Records will remain in legal DoD custody and physically maintained at the Washington National Records Center until January 2027 at which time they will be destroyed IAW their approved records retention.

SYSTEM MANAGER(S) AND ADDRESS:

The Chief of Chaplains, Headquarters, Department of the Army, 2700 Army Pentagon, Washington, DC 20310-2700.

NOTIFICATION PROCEDURE:

Individuals seeking to determine whether information about themselves is contained in this system should address written inquiries to the Office, Chief of Chaplains, Headquarters, Department of the Army, ATTN: DACH-IMW, Washington, DC 20310-2700.

Individual should provide:

·         For baptismal records: Full name of person baptized, approximate date, names of parents, name of chaplain, and place of baptism.

·         For marriage records: Full name of groom and maiden name of bride, approximate date, installation at which married, and name of chaplain.

For funeral records: Name of deceased person, year of death, and name of next-of-kin.

RECORD ACCESS PROCEDURES:

Individuals seeking access to information about themselves contained in this system should address written inquiries to the Chief of Chaplains, Headquarters, Department of the Army, ATTN: DACH-IMW, Washington, DC 20310-2700.

Individual should provide:

• For baptismal records: Full name of person baptized, approximate date, names of parents, name of chaplain, and place of baptism.
• For marriage records: Full name of groom and maiden name of bride, approximate date, installation at which married, and name of chaplain.
• For funeral records: Name of deceased person, year of death, and name of next-of-kin.

CONTESTING RECORD PROCEDURES:

The Army's rules for accessing records, and for contesting contents and appealing initial agency determinations are contained in Army Regulation 340-21; 32 CFR part 505; or may be obtained from the system manager.

RECORD SOURCE CATEGORIES:

Information was received from any service member, his/her dependent, authorized civilian personnel, or retired service member for whom an Army chaplain has performed a baptism, marriage, or funeral.

EXEMPTIONS CLAIMED FOR THE SYSTEM:

None.

FEDERAL REGISTER HISTORY:

February 22, 1993, 58 FR 10002; June 16, 2014, 79 FR 34301.