When is it permissible to downgrade the classification of a document?

Downgrading the classification of a document is permissible when classification guidance explicitly allows for it. Classification guidance provides specific criteria and procedures that dictate how classified information should be managed, including when it can be downgraded. This guidance is established by the originating agency and reflects the importance of consistently applying classification standards to protect sensitive information while also ensuring that information does not remain classified longer than necessary.

While outdated information may suggest that a document could be downgraded, the actual permission to do so must come from established classification guidance rather than the mere age of the information itself. Similarly, a request from the original author may not necessarily comply with procedural requirements unless it aligns with the agency's classification policies. Organizational changes might influence classification status but do not inherently provide a basis for downgrading without proper guidance. Therefore, action regarding classification must always be grounded in official guidance to ensure that all changes comply with security protocols and legal standards.