This collection is open for research, with the exception of official records of the House of Representatives Committee on Government Reform and Oversight, the House of Representatives Subcommittee on the Western Hemisphere, and the House of Representatives Subcommittee on Europe and Eurasia, which under House Rule VII must be restricted until 30 years from date of creation. The collection also includes investigative files that must remain closed for 50 years from the date of creation under House Rule VII. Opening dates for restricted files are indicated at the end of the listing for the Foreign Affairs Committee series and the Government Reform and Oversight Committee series.

The collection is housed in offsite storage; thus, arrangements for use must be made in advance.