CHRIS users must be cleared as Authorized Users under an active CHRIS Information Access and Use Agreement to receive any raw data from the CHRIS (i.e. documents and location information). An agreement may apply to an individual, office, company, district, agency, or some other administrative or organizational unit. Make sure the organizational scope is made clear when completing the agreement, using the “Region/Office” space on the agreement’s first page. Only one agreement should be completed by the agreement holder, and this agreement will apply through the entire CHRIS, at all Information Centers. In other words, if you submit one to an Information Center, once it is processed and accepted, the agreement will apply to all of the Information Centers, and you need not submit another until the current one expires (if it has an expiration date).

The agreement holder must submit a CHRIS Data Authorized User Form for each individual authorized to access the CHRIS under that agreement. It is the responsibility of the agreement holder to add and remove Authorized Users. Authorized Users seeking only non-confidential data will not need to submit any other documentation. Authorized Users seeking confidential data will also need to submit a Statement of Qualification for Access to CHRIS Confidential Information, and a current resume to show satisfaction of the minimum requirements to receive confidential data outlined in Section III of the Rules of Operation Manual.

An individual(s) that does not meet the minimum requirements may still be granted access to confidential data if they are working under the direct supervision of someone that meets the requirements. In lieu of a Statement of Qualification for Access to CHRIS Confidential Information, a clearance letter from the supervisor should be submitted. This letter must explicitly state that that the supervisor will take full responsibility for all confidential data released to the individual(s) by the CHRIS.

A CHRIS Information Center Conditional Use Agreement should be used when the holder of an active CHRIS Information Access and Use Agreement desires to temporarily share CHRIS data with another person or entity who is not covered under that same agreement.

Exceptions to the above access clearance processes include:

• Anyone requesting information pertaining to historical resources located on private property which they own.
• Anyone requesting summary information about historical resources, to be prepared by the Information Center.
• Anyone requesting information for education or scholarly research only.
• Anyone whose terms of access to CHRIS information are specified in an agreement with the Information Center at which the information being requested, and said agreement specifically excludes the requirement for a CHRIS Information Access and Use Agreement.

If any of the above exceptions apply, please use the CHRIS Access Agreement Short Form to make a record search request.

For more information, please see the frequently asked Questions, the Office of Historic Preservation website, or contact the Information Center.